§ 32. Mr. Isaacsasked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the policy of his Department as regards the issue of 822 instructions or guidance to the various arbitration tribunals regarding the level of wage increases which they should award.
§ Sir W. MoncktonYes, Sir. The policy of my Department, and, indeed, of Her Majesty's Government, has been and remains not to issue instructions or guidance of any sort to these bodies. On the contrary, the Government have scrupulously respected their independence.
§ Mr. IsaacsI am sure that the House and the community will be very pleased to have that information. May I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman if he is aware that the slightest hint of a suspicion among the workers that arbitration is being tampered with will kill it? I hope that his answer will satisfy them.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThere will be no tampering with arbitration as long as I hold my office.