§ Mr. JOHN DAVISON(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the breakdown of negotiations between the Engineering Employers' Federation and the trade unions concerned, which will involve the lock-out of 1,500,000 workmen on the 16th the Government propose to intervene and bring the parties together before a Court of Arbitration on the same lines as those adopted during the War?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe House will be aware, from statements which are appearing in the Press, that the negotiations between the employers and the trade unions in the engineering trade, which were resumed on Monday last, came to a termination yesterday without a settlement having been reached. I saw the parties last night, and I have seen them again this morning. As a result, joint meetings were resumed an hour or two ago, and when I left my office the negotiations were still in progress. In these circumstances, the House will, I am sure, agree that it will be better for me to make no statement at the present moment.
§ At the commencement of Public Business—
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMay I ask the indulgence of the House to make an addition to the answer which I gave to a question to-day?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a question for the House itself to decide, Question Time 425 having passed. The Minister of Labour has an important announcement that he would like to make to the House. Is it the pleasure of the House to hear it? [HON. MEMBERS: "Agreed."]
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have just heard, a moment or two ago, that the employers have agreed that the notices shall be postponed until the end of June. The trade unions will ballot their members on a proposal of the employers, and, in the meantime, they have instructed their members to continue at work.