§ Mr. R. GRAHAMasked the Minister of Labour whether the joint industrial councils have in any important degree undertaken to assist in the development of the industries for which these councils are established; whether these councils have considered any methods for the prevention of unemployment; and, if so, with what result?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe point raised in the first part of the question is, of course, a matter of opinion, but I certainly think that the answer is in the affirmative, and that in the future also a great deal of good work of this kind will be done. The constitutions of practically all the councils provide for consideration of the questions which my hon. Friend has in mind, and I am sending him copies of two statements which give some account, though not a complete account, of what has been done. In their early days the councils are naturally concerned with the removal of causes of disputes, such as inequalities in the basis of wages and conditions of employment, but to an increasing extent they are dealing with these other matters. As regards unemployment, the question has not arisen until recently in an acute form, but several of the councils have given attention to it, and they all have before them the qeustion of their relation to the new Unemployment Insurance Act.