§ 70. Mr. HAMMERSLEYasked the Minister of Labour whether she will make it a condition of Government participation in negotiations connected -with the dispute in the cotton trade that all official bodies representing employers and 212 employed shall be armed with full authority to negotiate on all questions affecting the reorganisation of the industry?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Miss Bondfield)No, Sir. The Government must keep a free hand to take any action which seems likely to promote a settlement.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYCan we be sure that the right hon. Lady appreciates the fact that there are many matters to investigate other than the question of more looms per weaver, and would it not be futile to enter into these negotiations when the people with whom the Government intend to negotiate are not in a position to deliver the goods?
§ Mr. SANDHAMIs the right hon. Lady aware of the fact that a very large majority ballot vote in Lancashire against negotiation makes it absolutely imperative for the Government to move on the lines of a national control board?
§ Mr. WISEMay I ask whether it is not the case that the workers' representatives in these negotiations have been pressing for reorganisation of the industry as an alternative to wage reduction?