§ Sir W. PRESCOTTasked the Minister of Labour whether there is disagreement between the Borough Council of New-castle-under-Lyme and its officials concerning the arbitrary reduction recently made in the remuneration of the officials; and whether, in the interests of efficient administration, he will take effective steps to induce the authority to agree to the difference with the officials being referred to arbitration under the Industrial Courts Act, 1919?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy attention was drawn by representatives of the officials in October, 1921, to a difference between the Borough Council of Newcastle-under-Lyme and its official staffs concerning a proposed reduction in the remuneration of those staffs. The Department asked the borough council whether, in the event of failure to reach a settlement by mutual negotiation, they would be prepared to concur in the reference of the matter to arbitration. The town clerk informed the Department on 7th November, 1921, that the corporation had decided to carry into effect the proposed reduction and would not be prepared to refer the matter to arbitration. It is understood, however, that the corporation on 7th December, 1921, decided to review the matter and neither of the parties has since communicated with the Department on the matter.