asked the Minister for Labour the action he proposes to take in order to avert the threatened national bus stoppage; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Road Passenger Group of Unions and CIE have already had a conciliation conference and arrangements are being made for a formal Labour Court hearing of the claim. The claim by the National Busmen's Union—which is separate from that of the group—is the subject of a conciliation conference today under the chairmanship of an industrial relations officer of the Labour Court.

The objective of these meetings is to reach a settlement and to avoid a stoppage of work, and I believe that the best contribution that can be made is to allow the procedures to work without interference.

I agree with most of what the Minister says, but if the Labour Court talks fail, in view of the hardship which is continually inflicted on the travelling public by numerous bus strikes, will he take action before a strike takes place to avoid this hardship?

That would be a very difficult question to answer at this stage. I have outlined what is being done at present.