§ 47. Mr. MUFFasked the Prime Minister whether he has received any later information relative to the Yorkshire textile dispute; and whether he is in a position to use his good offices in order to bring about a settlement of the dispute?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have received further reports from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour on the position. I feel that my right hon. Friend has done all that a third party can do up to the present to help both sides to find a basis upon which an amicable settlement could be reached. If, of course, both sides considered that I could render any assistance, my services would be at their disposal.
§ Mr. BROOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the workers' organisations have officially offered to re-open negotiations on the basis of a 6 per cent. reduction in wages, and that there has been no response, and can anything be done in the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat may be so, but any intervention or any assistance I can give can only be after both sides have asked for it.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEThe right hon. Gentleman says that he has tried all that is possible. Has he tried Safeguarding?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThe Prime Minister says that the Minister of Labour and those concerned have done all that they can. Is the Prime Minister aware that yesterday there was rioting in Bradford and that the scene has entirely changed now, that they have arrested people, and that the police have battened down members of the working class whom the Prime Minister is supposed to represent? I want to know what part he is going to play now to stand by the workers in Yorkshire.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Prime Minister has already answered the question.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODNo, Mr. Speaker. With due deference to you, Sir, the Prime Minister did not reply to my question. My question dealt with an entirely new set of circumstances, which I stated, and which were not in the question put to the Prime Minister. It is all right for the Prime Minister to sit there now and laugh, supported by the Tories, but it is the working classes in Yorkshire for whom I am speaking. [Interruption.]
§ Mr. SPEAKEROrder, order. Captain Crookshank!
§ Mr. MAXTONOn a point of Order. May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether the question of my hon. Friend is not in order, having regard to the fact that new and very alarming changes have taken place in the condition of the dispute, and is it not right that this House should be informed by the Prime Minister as to what steps he proposes to take to deal with this situation?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have said that that is the question to which the Prime Minister has replied.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThe Prime Minister did not reply to my question.