asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give an assurance that it is the considered policy of his Department to encourage the establish ment of joint industrial councils and to advise the maintenance of such councils already formed?

It is the policy of my Department to encourage the establishment of joint industrial councils in suitable cases, and to help to maintain those already formed. The experience of the working of these councils, having regard to the difficult times through which industry has been passing, has proved the great value of this form of voluntary joint machinery, by which employers' and workers' representatives meet regularly for the purpose of considering matters affecting their industries.