§ Mr. Leachasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to instances of employers, municipal and private, who refuse to operate Joint Industrial Council awards; and, in view of the fact that the employees' only method of enforcement is by striking, will he consider introducing legislation to make such awards obligatory?
§ Mr. McCorquodaleThe Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Order, 1940, requires employers to observe such recognised terms and conditions of employment in the trade or industry in the district as have been settled by representative joint machinery. Questions in dispute can be reported to the Minister and if it is found necessary referred to arbitration. Furthermore, the Order prohibits strikes in connection with trade disputes unless the dispute has been688W reported and has not been referred to arbitration within 21 days of the date of the report. In fact, very few cases have been reported to my right hon. Friend under the Order of refusal by employers to observe agreements of Joint Industrial Councils. Certain questions relating to the application of the Order in the case of municipal employees are at present the subject of legal proceedings.