§ 2. Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Minister of Labour if he will institute a special inquiry into the labour conditions generally, at a factory of which he has been informed, in view of the firm's action in dismissing a shop steward without any proof of misconduct and previously refusing to establish wages rates for certain women until a case was taken to the industrial court; and, as efforts to establish trade union procedure have been met by the firm by victimisation, will he take steps to prevent this.
§ Mr. BevinNo, Sir. I am not aware of any matters which call for such a special inquiry. The dismissal of the shop steward has been dealt with through the machinery of the Essential Work Order; the question of the appropriate rates of pay for certain women workers was decided by voluntary arbitration; and a recognition and procedure agreement has existed since early in 1942 between the firm and the unions concerned.
§ Mr. KirkwoodIs the Minister not aware of the fact that this firm agreed to the terms drawn up by the trade unions and employers so far as women's wages were concerned?