§ 55. Mr. Mawbyasked the Minister of Labour how many applications for arbitration under the 1919 Industrial Courts Act have been made since July; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. GunterI have received 11 applications since 20th July. One application was withdrawn, but the remainder have been referred, or are being referred, to the Industrial Court or to single arbitrators. Further applications for arbitration will be dealt with in the usual manner.
§ Mr. MawbyCan the right hon. Gentleman now improve on the reply that he gave to me last November, when I asked which decision would stand if an arbitration award was in conflict with the Prices and Incomes Board or—as now—in conflict with Part IV of the Act?
§ Mr. GunterAs the hon. Gentleman knows, awards under the Industrial Courts Act are a joint agreement recording the judgment of considerations set out in the White Paper on the Prices and Incomes Standstill.
§ 56. Mr. Mawbyasked the Minister of Labour if he will now seek to repeal Part II of the Industrial Courts Act 1919.
§ Mr. GunterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MawbyIs it now sensible to leave on the Statute Book a provision by which both parties can ask the Minister for arbitration when whatever award is 643 given at the end of that arbitration will be turned down under Part IV of the Prices and Incomes Act?
§ Mr. GunterThe hon. Gentleman knows as well as I that much of the work of the Court is not concerned with prices and incomes. The Court also deals with demarcation disputes and dismissal procedures and a host of other things.