§ Mr. WIGNALLasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that on the 20th January last the Eastleigh Railway Committee of Craft Unions wrote to his Department relative to a difference with the London and South-Western Railway Company arising out of the agreement for a forty-seven hours week, that a further letter was sent on the 26th January, and that neither of these letters have been replied to; and whether he will also make inquiry into the matter, with a view to the correspondence in question being dealt with?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe letter of 20th January contained a request for the reimbursement of the expenses of this committee in certain arbitration proceedings. It is not usual for the Ministry of Labour to pay such expenses, but in this case a special reason was brought forward which was carefully examined before a reply was sent on 21st February. The second letter was acknowledged on receipt, and two further letters in connection with the subject matter of the correspondence have been sent to the committee.