Royal Commission appointed on December 28, 1901, to inquire into the extent and available resources of the coalfields of the United Kingdom
The new government was at once confronted with industrial unrest. A threatened strike by the Miners' Federation was averted by the setting up of a Coal Industry Commission to consider hours, wages, and the ownership of the industry. The Commission had representatives from the Federation and the mine-owners, and was chaired by Mr Justice Sankey. A compromise was agreed on hours and wages, but no agreement was reached on the subject of ownership. Mr Justice Sankey's report recommended the nationalisation of the mines. This was rejected by Parliament.
Following this the Industrial Courts Act (1919) set up a permanent arbitration tribunal for employer-employee disputes.
The causes and circumstances of a trade dispute may be heard (publically or privately) at a Court of Inquiry, who will report back to the Minister of Labour.