§ 1. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Labour if the proceedings of the committee of investigation set up under the Conciliation Act, 1896, to inquire into the causes and circumstances of the differences that existed between the Football Players' Union and the Football League have yet been completed; and when he expects to receive the report.
§ The Minister of Labour (Sir Walter Monckton)The report is now in my hands, and I am arranging to have it published.
§ Mr. SmithWhen it is published, will the Minister give an undertaking that he will consider taking action on it as soon as possible, in view of the delay which has already taken place, and will he also give an undertaking to get all the parties together as soon as possible in order that their relationships can be placed upon a much better basis than they have been in the past?
§ Sir W. MoncktonMay I say that the report was received by me only on the 14th of this month. I have not yet had an opportunity of fully considering it. When I do have to deal with it I, personally, shall be a little embarrassed, because when I was at the Bar I appeared for the Players' Union in the earlier proceeding.
§ Mr. R. J. MellishIn trying to settle this dispute, will the Minister also take into account the fact that since the report was issued increased taxes have been imposed on football? Will he make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to have a look at the situation before these increases become law?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI wish that I thought I was likely to achieve much in that direction for cricket or football.
§ Sir W. MoncktonI can only say that it has been a very unsatisfactory financial undertaking.