HC Deb 04 February 1943 vol 386 cc1024-5
9. Mr. James Griffiths

asked the Minister of Labour how many trade disputes have been reported to him under the Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Order; and with what result?

Mr. Bevin

The Order came into operation in July, 1940, and up to 27th January, 1943, 1,034 trade disputes have been reported under its provision. Action in regard to 81 cases is still proceeding, and 16 are for various reasons held in suspense. 498 have been disposed of without reference to arbitration as a result of action taken following the receipt of the report and 366 have been referred for settlement to the National Arbitration Tribunal. The remaining 73 cases have, with the consent of the parties concerned, been referred to other forms of arbitration. I appreciate to the full the great debt that we owe to the normal machinery of negotiation for settling the many differences that arise day by day. Nevertheless, the Order has proved of great value not only in preventing stoppages of work but in avoiding industrial unrest where the ordinary machinery is not able or is not available to settle disputes.