Volume Eight - Pre-Victorian to the present day - more aspects - Cardiff, Penarth and Barry Coaltrimmers' Union . . .

The Minister directed that the terms of reference of the Court shall be : "To inquire into the necessity of putting on a third shift for Coal Tippers and Trimmers in the South Wales Coal-exporting District".

The Minister defined some procedural rules and appointed Mr. A. B. Valentine to be Secretary of the Court. The document is dated 20th March, 1923.

Interim Report.

The Court of Inquiry determined its procedure at a preliminary meeting on 23rd March 1923 and heard three consecutive days of evidence from the employers' that a third shift was, in fact, necessary. The Inquiry was held at the Chamber of Commerce, The Exchange, Cardiff, 9th - 11th April, 1923. The outcome of which was that : -

On the third day, the employers' case having closed, the Court, at the request of both parties, adjourned the further hearing, and in the meantime, in the capacity of mediators, discussed with both sides the practicability of a settlement by agreement. After prolonged discussion a provisional agreement was concluded on 12th April, 1923.

The provisional agreement was submitted to all interested parties and : - after further negotiations at the Court, again acting as mediators, met the parties at Montagu House on 11th and 12th May. As a result of this further meeting the provisional settlement of 12th April was ratified, and a further supplementary agreement, setting out the conditions under which the night-shift should be put into operation, was concluded on 12th May.