HC Deb 11 March 1924 vol 170 cc2101-2
6. Mr. BLACK

asked the President of the Board of Trade what information he can give as to the results of compulsory arbitration in trade disputes among any nations who have adopted the principle; and whether, in view of the experience of the last 25 years in the boot industry, the Government will inquire into the possibility of preventing suicidal national upheavals through strikes or lock-outs by the legislative enactment of similar provisions in all the organised trades?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Miss Bondfield)

I have been asked to reply. As the answer is somewhat long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The operation of compulsory arbitration in countries in which it is or has been in operation has by no means indicated that it is successful in preventing stoppages of work. Moreover, in no country in which such legislation has been tried are the conditions of industry similar to those in this country. The whole subject was reviewed by the Committee on the Relations between Employers and Employed presided over by Mr. Speaker, and they declared themselves to be opposed to any system of compulsory arbitration. I am aware of the considerable success which has attended the joint arrangements for conciliation in the boot and shoe trade, especially the provision by which, in cases of deadlock between the two sides, an independent chairman is called upon to preside with a view to facilitating a settlement. It is the duty of the chairman to endeavour to secure agreement between the two sides, and he has no power to give or to compel the acceptance of a decision. Agreement has, in fact, been secured throughout, and the voluntary agreements thus achieved have been consistently observed, and have enabled peace to be maintained in the industry as described by the hon. Member. A standing agreement by the parties to call in an independent chairman in cases where they have failed to agree is a course which provides a most favourable means of securing agreement and obviating stoppages of work.