§ 32. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the joint consultative committee for the Malayan rubber estates has yet met to consider the dispute on the rubber estates which has involved a complete day's stoppage of work each week for the past five weeks; what were the recommendations; and if the principle of arbitration has yet been agreed upon to change the system by which the scale of wages is pegged to the price of rubber.
§ Mr. HareA working party of the Joint Consultative Council of the rubber industry met on 15th and 16th June to consider this dispute, and a meeting of the Joint Council itself is to be held today. I cannot anticipate the outcome of these negotiations.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the Minister aware that this dispute has been going on, on one day each week, for several weeks and that the delays in dealing with these problems lead to serious trouble? Is he further aware that the tying up of wages to the price of rubber, which fluctuates so violently, causes a feeling of instability among the workers? Will the right hon. Gentleman get his Department to deal with this problem and encourage the principle of arbitration among the workers and employers?
§ Mr. HareI am sure the hon. Gentleman is the last person who would wish to embarrass these negotiations which are now going on between the two sides. We can derive some comfort from the fact that both parties have agreed to refer their disputes to this joint council.