§ 71. Mr. BOWENasked the Minister of Labour whether her attention has been drawn to the circumstances involved in the lock-out of nearly 50 men and 600 women and girls by Messrs. Neckwear, Limited, Macclesfield, in which company the English Sewing Cotton Company hold the controlling interest; whether she is aware that Messrs. Neckwear, Limited, on the 8th October, 1930, seceded 1767 from the Macclesfield Silk Trade Employers' Association and immediately posted notices of new terms of service to the workpeople without negotiation; that Messrs. Neckwear, Limited, have subsequently refused civic and other offers of mediation and negotiation; and whether, seeing that the firm is now advertising for other workers and is still refusing to negotiate either with the employers' association or the trade union, she will take steps to bring about negotiations with a view to the ending of the difficulty and a full return to work?
§ Mr. LAWSONI am aware of the circumstances to which my hon. Friend refers. I regret that the agreement recently made in the silk industry has not resulted in a settlement of this dispute. My Department, however, will continue to make all possible efforts to assist towards an amicable settlement.