HC Deb 14 November 1932 vol 270 cc742-3
60. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a stoppage occurred recently at the new Ingleton colliery, Yorkshire; that on 12th July a pit-head notice was posted to the effect that on and after 2.0th July all present price lists would be cancelled at that colliery but that work would be available at the West Yorkshire district scale of wages; that on examination the management admitted that no such scale existed and the men's notices were allowed to expire; that the company's officials invited the men to discuss terms later on, and work was resumed under a clause in the old price list; and that on the case going before the court of referees the court unanimously agreed that there was no dispute and benefits were allowed, but later the umpire disallowed benefits; and, in view of these facts, will he have further inquiry made and the case re-submitted to the umpire?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

The umpire's decision was given after an oral hearing at which the trade union concerned in the appeal was represented. So far as I can judge, the statements in the question do not include any new facts which were not before the umpire, but if this is not so the proper course is for the union to submit them to the umpire direct.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that every trade union leader who has seen this decision has received it with consternation, for if it is allowed to remain every proposal made by an employer automatically creates a trade dispute As that was not the intention of Parliament when passing the Act, does not my hon. Friend think that this case should he re-submitted to the umpire for further investigation?

Mr. HUDSON

The hon. Member knows as well as I do that the umpire has independent statutory authority, and that it is open to a trade union, if it thinks the umpire did not have all the relevant facts before him, to ask him to re-hear a case in view of the additional evidence they can submit, if they have any.

Mr. WILLIAMS

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether his Department will facilitate a re-hearing should such evidence be available and be submitted?