Mr. ALFRED DAVIES(Clitheroe) asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the dispute between the General Accident, Fire, and Life Assurance Corporation and the Guild of Insurance Officials with regard to the right of the corporation's employés to be 325W members of a trade union is still unsettled;, whether any efforts are being made to secure a settlement; and whether, in the event of failure and of the continued refusal of the corporation to meet the representatives of the employés on strike, he will exercise his power under the Industrial Courts Act and institute an inquiry into the whole matter?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am aware of this dispute and have been in correspondence with both parties. I have received a deputation from the Guild of Insurance Officials and other organisations representing non-industrial employés, and I hope to discuss the matter with the general manager of the corporation on Monday next.
§ Mr. C. EDWARDSasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation, Limited, have given a month's salary in lieu of notice and thus summarily dismissed some of their employées because they were members of the Guild of Insurance Officials, which is a registered trade union; whether he has already intervened and, if so, with what result; and will he take advantage of the powers conferred upon him by the Industrial Powers Act, 1919, with a view to the settlement of a dispute which involves a principle of the greatest importance to all classes of workers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am aware of this dispute and have been in correspondence with both parties. I have received a deputation from the Guild of Insurance. Officials and other organisa-326W tions representing non-industrial employés, and I hope to discuss the matter with the general manager of the corporation on Monday next.