Mr George Isaacs: We accept the Minister's proposal. He said that it gives a little more flexibility. At the same time, we think that these words are also a little more definite. I am interested to see that the Amendment includes the words, "immediately before or immediately after." This will avoid some of the troubles that we thought would occur if an employer wants both before "and" after. We think that the...
Mr George Isaacs: The Minister has satisfied those who have questioned him from a lawyer's point of view. I was only disturbed from the layman's point of view. Perhaps I can make it clear in this way. There are slightly different words in this Bill to the words in the Factories Act, and what I want to know is should these words be used in a court of law as an argument that Parliament meant something different...
Mr George Isaacs: We have listened very carefully to what the Parliamentary Secretary has said, and we think there is a good deal of sound logic in his argument. There are two points that weigh with us. First, we are satisfied that the Minister, who has shown such great anxiety to get the Bill on the Statute Book, has chosen a date which is the earliest which is humanly possible of achievement, and, as far as...
Mr George Isaacs: At this stage a number of things come into one's mind. Some few years back, a certain circular was issued by an industrial organisation, and the opponents to that circular dubbed the day upon which it was issued as "Black Friday." Today is both black and white Friday, and from two points of view. We had earlier a most interesting and fascinating discussion on the Mines and Quarries Bill,...
Mr George Isaacs: It never has had.
Mr George Isaacs: After the Election.
Mr George Isaacs: Does not this Question justify looking up and examining again the Report of the Committee of inquiry into inquests of some years ago?
Mr George Isaacs: asked the Minister of Labour and National Service whether he has any statement to make about the strike of footplate men on the railways.
Mr George Isaacs: Whilst recognising the difficulty of the Minister in intervening in this type of dispute, may I assure him that all of us who have had experience of trade union negotiation will support his plea that the men shall return to proper trade union rules?
Mr George Isaacs: Will the Minister consider including in the Code, which I think is an improvement on the old Code—some advice as to who has the right of way on converging roads—advice not only to motorists, but to magistrates who have to deal with many cases where there is an argument as to whether the man coming from the right or from the left has to give way? In view of the experience in other...
Mr George Isaacs: I think the first thing I ought to do is to thank the right hon. and learned Gentleman for the clarity with which he has explained the Bill and to join with him in his final words in hoping that this Bill will be approached objectively by both sides of the House so that we may finally get a settlement of this long outstanding difficulty. I am aware that the right hon. and learned Gentleman...
Mr George Isaacs: I am sure that the House will be obliged to the right hon. and learned Gentleman for that explanation. We have no doubt that his purpose was for the protection of the workers, but the words are confusing. The right hon. and learned Gentleman said that when he tried to measure his amendments against those of the draftsmen he could not make them any better. That is because they are both...
Mr George Isaacs: Now we know what Gladstone said.
Mr George Isaacs: They are taking it, but they do not deserve it.
Mr George Isaacs: asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the policy of his Department as regards the issue of instructions or guidance to the various arbitration tribunals regarding the level of wage increases which they should award.
Mr George Isaacs: I am sure that the House and the community will be very pleased to have that information. May I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman if he is aware that the slightest hint of a suspicion among the workers that arbitration is being tampered with will kill it? I hope that his answer will satisfy them.
Mr George Isaacs: (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any statement to make with regard to the strikes in the electrical contracting industry.
Mr George Isaacs: The House, I am sure, will be grateful to the right hon. and learned Gentleman for the full statement he has made, but in view of the latest development and the possibility of the dispute being extended, will he take the earliest opportunity—although I realise that sometimes one can be so early as to make a mistake—of bringing the parties together to see if he can get an adjustment?
Mr George Isaacs: by Private Notice
Mr George Isaacs: Again, I think the House will respond to the right hon. Gentleman's request, because patience and sympathy are being shown in this matter, but I am bound to tell the Minister that, if there is no adjustment by tomorrow, we shall have to put supplementary questions.
