37. Colonel NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the apprehension felt by a large section of the community at the rapid growth of British and international trusts and combines, and to its declared dislike of the privileged position occupied by trades unions, he will immediately appoint a Royal Commission to investigate and report in the next Session on the best means of controlling trusts, and what amendments of the various Acts governing trades unions should be made to place trades unions upon an equality before the Law with the rest of the community?
§ The PRIME MINISTERA Committee on Trusts was appointed in 1918, and I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of their Report, which was issued the following year. The Government hope to introduce legislation dealing with trade monopolies when Parliamentary time permits, and meanwhile there would be no advantage, I think, in appointing another Commission. As regards the question of trade unions, I would refer to the answer which I gave on the 18th April to questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. S. Samuel) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall).