§ 35. Mr. Westwoodasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the dispute at Falkirk, Kirkcaldy, and elsewhere, between the plasterers and joiners on the question of fixing of composite boards which have to receive a coating of plaster; that the dispute threatens to hold up the house-building schemes in these areas; that the plasterers have offered to submit the point in dispute to a neutral arbiter or industrial court and to abide by any decision arrived at; and, if so, what action does he propose to try and bring these two trade unions together to try and get a settlement of this dispute and thereby avoid a further hold up in local authorities' housing programme?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead)I am aware of the dispute between the two unions, to which the hon. Member refers, and in connection with the consequent stoppage of the building of the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, my right hon. Friend is appointing a court of inquiry under Part II of the Industrial Courts Act, for the purpose of elucidating the facts.
§ Mr. WestwoodCan we have any indication when that court of inquiry will start its work, because of the urgency of the question which I have raised?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI think that the urgency is appreciated, but I could not give an actual date.