§ Mr. WIGNALLasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a strike 1440W is pending in the Bridgewater district in consequence of the whole of the employers in the brick and tile industry having withdrawn from the Interim Industrial Reconstruction Committee for the Clay Industries and refusing to pay the advances in wages agreed upon by the committee and confirmed by the Ministry of Labour, namely, an advance in December last of 5s. per week and another in April of 8s. per week, with corresponding increases for youths, women, and girls; that several contracts exist between the Ministry of Health and the Bridgewater firms; and whether he will take steps to cancel these contracts unless the firms agree to pay the wages agreed upon by the Interim Industrial Reconstruction Committee for the Clay Industries?
§ Dr. ADDISONI understand that the facts are substantially as stated by the hon. Member, except that the agreement with regard to the advance of 8s. made this April is not subject to the approval of the Ministry of Labour. I further understand that the Ministry of Labour are in touch with the dispute, and that efforts are being made to effect a settlement.