HC Deb 24 June 1942 vol 380 cc1957-8
24. Mr. William Brown

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is yet in a position to give a reply to the request made to his Department, on 26th March last, on behalf of the locally-entered clerical staffs at Malta, for their claim for war bonus to meet the increased cost of living in Malta to be referred to the arbitration tribunal?

The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Captain Pilkington)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given to him on 19th May. It is not possible to reach a decision on this question until the reply from the Governor of Malta is received.

Mr. Brown

Is not the Minister aware that unions have a right to go to arbitration on matters of this kind whether the Department agrees or not? Is he aware, secondly, that the Government pledged themselves when this agreement was made for arbitration that cases would be referred to arbitration within one month, and will he take steps to see that the establishment division conforms to the agreement made by the Government with the Civil Service organisations?

Captain Pilkington

I think my hon. Friend will agree that there is not very much to be gained by going to arbitration before the reply is received from Malta, because that reply may mean that no need for arbitration arises.