§ 9. Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if she can state the number of firms that are involved, either directly or indirectly, in connection with the woollen and worsted trade dispute in various parts of Yorkshire; whether she is aware that should the present wage reductions remain the rates of pay will be less than those of other workers governed by the various trade boards; and if she can state what efforts have been made by her Department to persuade the representatives of the employers and workmen to confer with a view to arriving at a settlement?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI am unable to state the number of firms that are involved in the dispute in the woollen and worsted industry. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, I cannot usefully make any statement on the position.
§ Major the Marquess of TITCHFIELDWould not a little Protection solve this problem?