Mrs. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how far the work of the conciliator appointed by the Government of Northern Rhodesia in the copper mines dispute is confined to the claim for an increased wage per shift; and how far he is empowered to deal with the African claim to participate in more highly-skilled work.
§ Mr. LytteltonBoth parties agreed to meet under the chairmanship of the conciliator with the sole object of settling a dispute notified by the African Union on 19th September as a dispute "over a demand for a general wage increase." The conciliator's sole responsibility was to promote, if possible, settlement of the dispute on this issue and he had no power to deal with any other matters.