HC Deb 09 March 1927 vol 203 cc1224-6
44. Mr. N. MACLEAN

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a dispute has arisen between the building trade operatives and a small section of employers over a wage reduction; that housing schemes and works of public utility are being held up; and what steps his Department are taking to bring about a settlement?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I am aware of this dispute. Conferences have proceeded between the parties during the last few days, but I understand that yesterday afternoon they failed to reach agreement. I am considering what action can usefully be taken by my Department.

Mr. MACLEAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this dispute has arisen because of the fact that a small section of employers have broken away from a national agreement which is in existence between the Scottish Regional Council of the Employers' Federation and the trade union, and they are imposing a reduction in wages of 2d. per hour upon the labourers, and at the same time increasing the wages of the bricklayers?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I cannot at this moment, in answer to a question, discuss the whole matter across the Floor of the House. I may be mistaken, but I am not aware that the employers in this case were parties to the national agreement with the rest of the employers in Scotland. It is not a very complicated matter, and my Department have already been in touch with them, and the parties have been in negotiation. It is really a question as to how far action, if it be taken, will be a help in order to get the parties together. We are watching it from that point of view.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether or not it is the case that his Department has had submitted to it proposals from the workers' side to resume work on the status quo, pending a Government inquiry into the whole of the circumstances; and whether it is the case that he has power to hold an inquiry when one side has approached him? This means 6s. 5d. a week off poor workers, while the employers have already had their contracts fixed for a long time, and are going to snake large profits.

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

If the hon. Member will put down a question in detail, I will try to answer it. A number of proposals have been made on either side. I could not commit myself forthwith to an answer on a point of detail.

Mr. J. H. THOMAS

Will the right hon. Gentleman admit that his Department has the power to hold an inquiry, and if a demand for an inquiry has been made by the employés, could he not concede it?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I certainly could not concede it as a general principle in any case. Of course, my Department have the power to set up a court of inquiry; that is well known; but it is also quite well known that to state in advance that you will set up a court of inquiry is not necessarily the course that is likely to lead to the earliest termination of the dispute. I have to use my discretion in each Case, and it would be in the exercise of my discretion that I should or should not take a decision to set up a court of inquiry.

Mr. MACLEAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this body of employers who are reducing the wages of the labourers have contracts for houses from the Glasgow Corporation, who have laid down a recommendation to them to pay the standard rate of 1s. 3½.?

Mr. SPEAKER

I think that further question should be put down. The Minister cannot have this in his mind without notice.

Mr. MACLEAN

The right hon. Gentleman has had quite a lot of information sent to his Department. They are fully aware of all these facts.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Is it the case that the workers have asked for an inquiry and are prepared to resume work in the status quo pending the inquiry?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I cannot answer without notice. I will obtain the exact facts about that and communicate with the hon. Member or the House if he wishes at once, but as I was going to remark on the other question, I must have notice with regard to some details which it is really for the municipality itself to carry out.

Mr. MACLEAN

I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter to-night on the Adjournment.

64. Mr. NEIL MACLEAN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that a dispute has arisen between the building trade workers and a section of the employés in several places in Scotland over a wage reduction; if any housing schemes are affected and, if so, how many, and where; and whether the Government are taking any steps to see that the Fair Wages Clause is being observed on schemes that are being assisted with Government subsidies?

The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)

I am aware of this dispute and I am advised that certain housing schemes in Glasgow and the surrounding district are affected. As the hon. Member is aware the housing schemes are conducted by the local authorities themselves, and I am not therefore able to give the desired information without calling for a special return. With regard to the last part the responsibility there also rests primarily with the local authority, though I am in close touch with the Minister of Labour on the whole situation.