HC Deb 26 April 1922 vol 153 c559
Mr. CLYNES

(by Private Notice) asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the breakdown in the protracted negotiations for the settlement of the dispute in the engineering and shipbuilding trades on the question of managerial functions, and of the fact that shortly many additional thousands of workmen will be thrown out of employment, with a consequent paralysis of industry, the Government will, in the public interest, now set up a Court of Inquiry under the Industrial Courts Act for the purpose of inquiring into the merits of the dispute?

Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. NORTON-GRIFFITHS

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether he is in a position to make any statement as to the stage at which the engineering dispute has arrived?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I understand that the men's representatives are meeting at this moment to consider the latest communications received from the employers, and I shall therefore be obliged if these questions can be postponed until to-morrow.

Mr. REMER

If the court asked for is set up, can it be made binding under the Act on both parties?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I think I had better invite my hon. Friend to refer to Part II of the Act.