Mr. ERSKINE(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes taking any step, in the nature of intervention, or otherwise, to bring about a settlement of the dispute in the book-binding and general printing industries, which threatens serious consequences to allied trades.
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland)I am watching the situation with very great care indeed, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement about it.
Mr. ERSKINECan the right hon. Gentleman say if it is a fact that the Book-binders' Union refuses to carry out a recommendation—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must see a question of that kind. The hon. Member did not send me that.
§ Mr. NAYLORMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Conciliation Department of the Ministry has made any approach whatever to either of the parties in the dispute?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDInformally the officers of my Department have been in touch with the respective parties, and, as everybody knows, the services of my Department are always available if I receive intimation from the parties that they hope to have them made available to them, but I have received no notice of that kind.
§ Mr. NAYLORMay I ask whether it is always the practice of the conciliation department never to approach disputants in matters of this kind unless they are directly approached by either parties to the dispute?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI think, if I may say so, it would be very undesirable at this moment to begin a discussion of this matter. I think it could really do no good from the point of view of getting peace between the parties at this moment.