81. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the conferences between the operatives and employers in the cotton industry have broken down, and that certain employers are taking action contrary to the agreement existing between the employers and the trade union representatives; and whether the Department is taking any steps to avert a lock-out or cessation of work?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI am aware of the failure, so far, of the two sides to arrive at agreement as to the procedure to be adopted for the examination of the various questions affecting the conditions in the industry. I am not aware that any action has been taken which would indicate that a lock-out or cessation of 1232 work is contemplated, and I venture to hope that discussion in accordance with the constitutional arrangements within the industry will enable the parties to reach an amicable settlement.
§ Mr. WALLHEADIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a trade dispute at the present time in Stalybridge, owing to the owners' attempt to re-establish a 55½ hours week?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think that is the subject of another question on the Paper.
§ 82. Mr. T. SHAWasked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the fact that the Aqueduct Mills Company, of Stalybridge, have commenced to run their mills 55½ hours per week; that women and girls are employed in the mills; and that an arrangement between the employers' and workers' organisations provide for a 48-hour working week; and whether, in view of the repeated declarations that the Government accept the principle of the 48-hour working week, he will take such steps, whether by legislation or by other methods, as will prevent the reintroduction of the 55½-hour working week, particularly for women and young persons?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThere is constitutional machinery within the industry for dealing with the matters referred to in the question, and I have no doubt action will be taken to put this machinery in operation. In these circumstances I do not think it desirable for me, at this juncture, to make any further comment on the position.
§ Mr. SHAWAre we to take it for granted that the Government have no intention of taking action to stop this practice in the country?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo, Sir, the right hon. Gentleman must not read anything into my answer which I did not say.
Mr. HOPKINSONWill the hon. Gentleman see that his Department watches carefully this most interesting experiment, which may have very valuable results?
§ Mr. HILTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this firm in Stalybridge are not members of the Masters' Federation, that they have never signed an agreement 1233 with the operatives, and that no agreement has been broken? They are an independent firm.
§ Mr. BETTERTONThat, Sir, I under stand is one of those questions now sub judice, and it would, therefore, be improper for me to deal further with the matter.
§ Mr. WELLOCKAre not the conditions indicated in this question a reason for pushing forward with the Washington Convention?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo, Sir. But the hon. Member's question indicates the ambiguity which arises in regard to the Washington Convention, and is, itself, a justification of our policy of clearing up these ambiguities by revision.
§ Mr. SHAWIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Government have repeatedly stated their adoption of the principle of the 48 hours' week; is it not the case that this is a deliberate breach of that principle, and that the Government have already said that they have no intention of interfering in the matter?
§ Mr. BETTERTONAgain, the question of the right hon. Gentleman is a complete justification of the Government's policy of revision, and I hope, therefore, we may have the support of the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. J. HUDSONDoes the hon. Gentleman admit that there can be anything valuable in an experiment which consists of raising the hours to 55½ hours a week, as indicated by the hon. Member for Mossley (Mr. Hopkinson)?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is not the time to debate the question.