§ 1. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, 1254 owing to the abnormal amount of unemployment in certain trades connected with ship construction, it is being found impossible to secure representation for such trades on the courts of referees; and whether he will take steps to enable such trades to be represented by unemployed members on those courts?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Henry Betterton)I should be very reluctant to relax the rules on this point, but I will make inquiry to see whether, if difficulty exists, action within the existing regulation can be taken to remove it.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIn the event of the Minister finding the conditions as stated in the question, will he take action such as I suggest?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI cannot say more than I have said in the answer. I am inquiring into it, and if it is possible within the existing regulations to remove this difficulty, I will certainly do it. I appreciate the point of the hon. Member.