HC Deb 06 February 1929 vol 224 cc1761-3
26. Mr. DENNISON

asked the Minister of Labour what action, if any, his Department has taken to effect a setlement of the dispute between the owners and the operatives in the manufactured iron trade in the West of Scot- land; is he aware that a board of conciliation and arbitration has been in existence for 32 years and that the practice of the industry has been to settle differences without stoppage of work; that arbitration has been refused by the employers and that the workpeople have been locked out; and, seeing that (although certain of these manufacturers have been requested by the Admiralty to tender for contracts) the fair wages Clause is not being observed, he will take immediate steps to deal with the situation?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

My Department has been in close touch with both sides with a view to assisting them in reaching an amicable settlement, which, in view of the facts to which the hon. Member refers, I hope will yet be achieved. The question as regards the fair wages Clauses is a matter for the contracting departments concerned.

Mr. DENNISON

In view of the Prime Minister's pledge on behalf of the Government to have "Peace in our time, O Lord," will the Department that is concerned with peace in industry bring the employers to book in respect to these matters?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I am doing my best to get peace in all these industries and all these districts.

Mr. BARR

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that in a constituency like my own, where there has been very prolonged distress, this dispute is adding greatly to that distress, and will he use all his good offices and all pressure to bring this unfortunate dispute to an end?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I am always using what good offices I can, but I always have to use discretion. Some times, if one interferes indiscreetly or unwisely, one does harm and not good, but so far as I can I do my best to bring the parties together.

Mr. MACLEAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to bring before the Prime Minister, with a view to laying the matter before the various contracting Departments, the fact that several of these firms which are doing Government contracts have locked out their men?

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that for 32 years there has been no dispute, that a conciliation board has been in working order, and that this is the first time it has broken down, because the employers have refused to go to arbitration—not the men, but the employers?