§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the President of the Board of Trade if the Labour Exchange officials at Portsmouth are supplying lithographic printers to a London firm whose men are on strike, namely, Messrs. Water-low and Son; whether the Labour Exchange authorities not only give notice of the work, but also supply the applicants with the means for paying their fares to London; and, if so, whether, in view of the Labour Exchange regulations, which states that in all trade disputes or strikes the exchange should be neutral, he proposes to take any action in the matter?
Mr. BUXTONSince the beginning of the dispute in the printing trade no vacancies for printers in the London area have been notified to the Portsmouth Labour Exchange, and no printers have been supplied by that Exchange for work in London. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware the regulations (which have the force of law) prohibit the advance of railway fares to any workman going to fill a vacancy caused by a strike or lock-out.