Mr. T. WILSONasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the action of the Lurgan Urban District Council in refusing to be party to arbitration proceedings, for which his Department appointed an arbitrator for the heaving on 21st September, 1917, to consider the claims put forward by the 2012W council's employés in the gas works; whether he is aware that, in consequence of this action on the part of the council, a number of the workmen came out on strike and that the dispute still continues; and what action he proposes to take in the matter
§ Mr. G. ROBERTSI am aware of the difference to which my hon. Friend refers, but as the Lurgan Urban District Council are not subject to the Munitions of War Acts, Arbitration proceedings could not take place otherwise than by consent which the Council were not prepared to give. I am addressing another communication on the subject to;. he Council.