asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that an official strike of plumbers employed as gas fitters in Glasgow and South-West Scotland has now been operative for 18 weeks or thereby and is causing great inconvenience to the public; what is the cause of this dispute; and what steps he is taking in the public interest to bring it to an end.

This dispute was concerned with the relationship between the Scottish Gas Board and the Plumbers' Union and with the terms of employment of plumbers employed as gas fitters in Glasgow. A full resumption of work took place on Friday last, 10th March, and I understand that discussions between the parties are taking place this week.