HC Deb 23 November 1927 vol 210 cc1800-2
Mr. MACKINDER {by Private Notice)

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that as a result of the employers in the wool textile trade giving notice to terminate the existing wages agreement, this week-end, a dispute likely to involve nearly 250,000 workpeople is imminent; and although the trade unions have offered to refer the whole matter to an independent tribunal, the employers have refused their offer; and what action he proposes to take to prevent the dispute?

Mr. BETTERTON

My right horn. Friend has kept in touch with the course of recent negotiations in the wool textile trade and is aware of the present situation. I trust that the parties will still find it possible to reach an amicable settlement of their difficulties. I am not in a position to make any further statement at this stage.

Mr. SNOWDEN

In the event of not being able to come to an amicable settlement will the hon. Member say what action it is proposed to take? Has the Department power, where an industrial dispute is threatened and in which one party has agreed to refer the dispute to arbitration, to interfere and compel arbitration?

Mr. BETTERTON

The Department has, of course, powers in certain circumstances to set up a court of inquiry. With regard to the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's question, I think he will agree with me that it is better to say nothing more at this stage, because it might have the very result which we desire to avoid and make these negotiations more difficult. If the hon. Member and the right hon. Gentleman desire, then by all means they can put a question on the matter next week.

Mr. SNOWDEN

I understand that the stoppage, if it unfortunately comes, will take place at the end of this week, and there are therefore only two days left. Does not the Minister of Labour realise the seriousness of the position, and will he not at once do what he possibly can to try and avert such a stoppage, seeing that the negotiations have completely broken down?

Mr. BETTERTON

I am glad the right hon. Gentleman has put that question, because it enables me to dispel a needless anxiety on the part of some hon. Members. It is true that the national agreement has come to an end, but no notice to terminate work or change rates has yet been given and that will leave at least another week. There is no question of these men being thrown out of work under a week at the earliest, and, if the right hon. Gentleman cares to put a question next week, I will give him all the information that I can.

Mr. J. HUDSON

The situation is still very critical, because the employers have refused not only to accept arbitration in the dispute but to accept arbitration with regard to the terms of reference to a committee to negotiate the issues involved, which both employers and employés admit ought to be appointed. In view of the fact that there is a total rejection of arbitration in all forms, is not the Minister prepared to send down one of his chief officials immediately?

Mr. BETTERTON

It is because I realise so fully that the situation is critical that I am most anxious to say nothing to-day which will make it more difficult and which might actually have the opposite result from that which the hon. Member and my right hon. Friend desire.

Mr. RILEY

In view of the fact that the negotiations have broken down and the two parties are asunder, will not the hon. Gentleman and his Department try to secure a resumption of negotiations during the coming week?

Mr. BETTERTON

So far neither side has approached the Department. The services of the Department are, of course, fully at the disposal of either side, and in so far as these good offices may be utilised I hope that they will prove efficacious.

Mr. T. SHAW

Will the hon. Member suggest to the Minister of Labour that a declaration of the intention of the Government to have an investigation, which his Department is able to do, would at any rate stave off an immediate dispute, because neither side would be likely to cause an immediate rupture if the Government made a plain declaration that they intended to have an investigation?

Mr. BETTERTON

I will certainly tell my right hon. Friend the view which the right hon. Gentleman has expressed, but I must respectfully decline to say anything now which might have the opposite result.

Mr. MACKINDER

Is it the policy of the Department not to. intervene in a dispute unless the parties ask for it? Is that the policy of the Department?

Mr. BETTERTON

I could not give an answer to a general question of that kind—an answer which would do justice to it.