§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Scottish Bankers' Association, representing the great majority of the employés of the Scottish banks, has at present under consideration the question of a strike ballot; whether he is aware that the association has exhausted all peaceful means in trying to secure from Scottish bank directors either recognition of the association, consideration of the scale of salaries proposed in view of the great increase in the cost of living, or the establishment of a Whitley Council for the profession in Scotland; and whether, having regard to the fact that it is now the policy of the Government not to ignore representative associations of employés and also to promote the establishment of Whitley Councils, he will use his influence with Scottish bank directors to secure arbitration in the present dispute, with a view to avoiding a stoppage of work in the Scottish banks?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy attention has been called to the resolution of the Scottish Bankers' Association on the subject of a strike. I am instructing my local officer in Scotland to inquire into the position, in order to try to avoid any development of the difference.