§ Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the dispute regarding demarcation of work between the National Union of Operative Heating and Domestic Engineers and the United Operative Plumbers Domestic Engineers' Association, which is holding up the completion of work at Edinburgh and other places; and whether he can make any statement?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, Sir. I regret that there have been a series of demarcation disputes between these two unions at Edinburgh and in various parts of the country. My Department has attempted to secure agreement between the unions, and we were fortunate in enlisting the good offices of the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress. But it has not yet been found possible to secure a general agreement, and difficulties still exist at Edinburgh and at a number of other places. Representatives of the Heating and Domestic Engineering Joint Industrial Council have recently approached my Department, and it is proposed to see representatives of the Operative Plumbers' Association again. It is to be hoped that the unions will recognise the inconvenience due to such disputes, and the delay caused to housing and other scheme, and will see their way to reach an agreement.