§ Major PRESCOTTasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the continued refusal of the Huntingdon Education Committee to grant the recognised standard of war bonus to their administrative, technical, and clerical staff; and whether he will direct an inquiry into the causes and circumstances of the dispute under Part II. of the Industrial Courts Act, 1919?
§ Mr. PARKERMy Department is in communication with both parties to this dispute. The hon. and gallant Member is probably aware that the local authority has full discretion in this matter, and that an arbitration under the Industrial Courts Act requires the consent of both sides. I do not think that the powers referred to in the second part of the question are appropriate to a case of this kind.