§ Mr. WIGNALLasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a public meeting of the citizens of Exeter, held on 25th May, demanded the appointment of a Government Commission of Inquiry to investigate the dispute at the Exeter city asylum; that petitions to this effect signed by 13,121 citizens and ratepayers of Exeter have been presented to the city council of Exeter; that the continuance of the dispute is likely to involve the trade unions of the city in a sympathetic strike; whether the Lunacy Board of Control have made any representations to the Government Departments concerned; and whether His Majesty's Government will favourably consider the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry, as requested by the citizens of Exeter, and include Labour representation on such Commission, seeing that this is essentially a dispute arising out of an alleged infringement of trade union principles?
§ Sir R. HORNEYes, Sir, I have received a copy of the resolution referred to as well as a memorandum from the Board of Control. I have offered to both the parties to the dispute a reference to arbi-2442W tration, and if both parties agree to this course, I shall take care that the Court is so constituted as to be able to deal properly with the issues involved.