§ 46. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Prime Minister whether he proposes, in view of the constantly recurring industrial 2103 troubles, to introduce machinery which will enable the Government to intervene with its good offices at an early stage of all disputes, instead of waiting till its intervention is invoked on the eve of a crisis?
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. Clynes)I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave yesterday in reply to questions on this subject, to which I have nothing to add.
§ Sir KINGSLEY WOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister made a speech on this matter to the Free Church Council last week, and are we to understand that he has no practical solution to offer, but merely vague generalities?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONWill the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the possibility of obtaining, for the information of the House, a report on the working of the system of enforced publicity in Canada?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe Government is well aware of the system prevailing in Canada, but, short of compulsion—for which no party to these quarrels is prepared—there is adequate machinery now at our disposal for intervening in these disputes.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONCan we have, for the information of the House, such information as to the working of the system as is in the possession of the Government?
§ Major COLFOXIn view of the statement made a short time ago by the Postmaster-General, that during an industrial dispute he was unable to get at the leaders of the strike, will the Government make it obligatory on the strike leaders on such occasions to grant audiences to His Majesty's responsible Ministers?
§ Mr. B. SMITHWe will consider it.