A last attempt to avert the general strike timed for Monday midnight collapsed within an hour of twelve.
Mr. T. H. Thomas declared as he left the House, ╥The strike is on,╙ and Mr. Cook said, ╥They failed: the general strike is on to-morrow!╙ Mr. Baldwin reported the breakdown at a Cabinet meeting at 11 p.m.
Westminster has become the scene of renewed discussions and much excitement about eight o╒clock last night during the debate on the Premier╒s afternoon statement in the House on the industrial crisis.
Mr. Baldwin╒s speech had been followed by a moderately phrased reply by Mr. J. H. Thomas, as labour╒s spokesman. Later Mr. Churchill reiterated that if the strike notices were withdraw the Government were prepared to continue negotiations.
Mr. Thomas pressed to know whether the withdrawal of lock-out notices was included. Mr. Churchill would not commit himself, but indicated that a reply might be given later, and the Prime Minister, followed by other Ministers, then withdrew, apparently for consultations.
After the close of Mr. Churchill╒s speech, Mr. J. H. Thomas had an interview with the Attorney-General. Mr. Thomas afterwards had a short conference with the members of the Minsters╒ executive, who were meeting in the Committee corridor, and then returned to Sir Douglas Hogg╒s room.
At 10.20 a joint meeting between the Miners╒ Executive and the Trade Unions Congress representatives was in progress at the House, but it was stated that there had not then been a rapprochement with the Government. Then at 11 p.m. came the news of the final breakdown.
Workers Who Are to Stop To-day.
The general strike plans provide for the stoppage to-day of all forms of transport including docks and railways), printing trades (including the newspapers), the iron and steel, metal, and heavy chemical trades, the building trade (apart from housing and hospital work), and electricity and gas supply for power.
At midnight the Manchester stations were picketed, and though the London trains left it was doubtful whether they would reach their destination. No trams ran in Manchester after midnight.
