§ 5. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that certain employers in Lancashire have not carried out the clause in the cotton trade agreement of last year relating to the reinstatement of employés involved in the stoppage; and whether he will take steps to bring this breach of the agreement to the notice of the employers' association?
Mr. HUDSONI understand that the employers' and workers' organisations have had under discussion the progress made in the re-employment of displaced operatives, and my right hon. Friend does not consider that there is any necessity to take action of the kind suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. DAVIESDoes the hon. Gentleman not understand that this problem has gone beyond that stage and that the allegation is definitely made by the workpeople that reinstatement is not provided by the employers where there 1896 are vacancies; and will his Department in those circumstances see whether anything can be done?
Mr. HUDSONThe situation is that there was no clause in the Cotton Trade Agreement, such as is suggested by the hon. Member in his question. The matter was merely included in the memorandum. The whole question is being discussed between the two sides, and my right hon. Friend thinks that no useful purpose could be served at the present moment by intervening.
§ Mr. DAVIESDoes the hon. Gentleman suggest that this provision was in the memorandum and not in the Agreement, and will he institute inquiries into the complaints made by the workers' organisations, in order to see whether they are well-founded?
Mr. HUDSONOfficials of my Department are in touch with both parties, but, in view of the information which we have, my right hon. Friend thinks that at the present moment no useful purpose will be served by adopting the hon. Member's suggestion.