HC Deb 17 June 1925 vol 185 cc490-1
36. Sir W. SUGDEN

asked the Minister of Labour what results have obtained in respect to the conferences between employers and employés in respect to the shipbuilding industry and the engineering trades?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The conferences in the shipbuilding industry are still in progress. With regard to engineering, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given on 11th June to the hon. Member for Lambeth, North (Mr. Briant). I can tell the hon. Gentleman the substance of that reply, if he wishes. The substance was, that a letter from the Engineering Employers' Federation of the 2nd June was, apparently, misunderstood by the unions, and that the further letter from the employers would be considered by the unions on the 19th June.

Mr. ERSKINE

Is there any chance of this Conference coming to an end at some future date?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I trust so, because I am quite certain that the more quickly both sides in this Conference will get down to the actual facts, the better it will be for everybody.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Does it not follow that the facts will be these—that Capitalism is breaking up?