§ Mr. HAYCOCK (by Private Notice)asked the Minister of Labour whether he has appointed a Court of Inquiry in connection with the threatened dispute affecting shop men in the employment of the Great Northern section of the London and North Eastern Railway; whether the National Union of Railwaymen were consulted in the matter, while the unions more particularly representing the skilled men were not so consulted; and whether it is the case that one of the unions concerned has intimated that if the railway company attempts to enforce the decisions of the Court of Inquiry, a stoppage of work by their members may take place?
§ Mr. SHAWIn accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Courts Act I have appointed a Court of Inquiry in connection with this dispute, which is one that might have led to serious public inconvenience. Negotiations in connection with this matter have been going on for some months, and each of the groups of unions concerned was seen by officers of my Department and by me personally; it is not the case, therefore, that only one union was consulted. With regard to the last part of the question, a Court of Inquiry does not give decisions; its business is to ascertain the facts relating to the threatened dispute and to make a report upon these facts for the information of Parliament and of the public. It will, of course, be for the parties to the dispute to consider the report when it is made.