Mr. BARNESasked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the ill results accruing from the strike of ship joiners; and if he can take some steps to bring the parties together or to have an inquiry with a view to making a public statement?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI would refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given on December 15th to my hon. Friend the Member for West Houghton (Mr. T. Wilson). It is still the case that neither side has expressed any desire for the intervention of the Labour Department. I regret that this strike has lasted so long, and I can assure my right hon. Friend that as soon as we see a prospect of successful action on our part we will take it. At present, however, as far as I am able to judge, the time has not yet arrived.