The first part of the report deals with appointment of the court of inquiry and the rules of procedure. It commences:-
Whereas by the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, the Minister of Labour may, where a dispute exists or is apprehended, refer any matters appearing to him to be connected with or relevant to the dispute to a Court of Inquiry, and may make rules regulating the procedure of any such Court ;
And Whereas negotiations have been proceeding between the Railway Company, Dock Authorities, Colliery Owners and Ship-owners, representing the Employers, on the one hand, and the National Transport Workers' Federation and the National Union of Railwaymen, representing the Workpeople, on the other hand, on the subject of the hours of labour of men employed in connection with the tipping and trimming of coal in the South Wales Coal-exporting District ;
The Minster of Labour appointed the following to constitute a Court of Inquiry:-
