The Government’s proposals for standardization were rejected by the Unions, who precipitated a strike, on September 26, 1919, on the railways throughout Great Britain. Terms of settlement were signed, on October 5, 1919, providing for standardization at the then existing level of wages up to September 30, 1920, and providing that no adult railwaymen in Great Britain should receive less than 51_s._ per week so long as the cost of living was not less than 110 per cent. above pre-war level. Work was resumed on October 6. Subsequently an agreement was made between the Government and the two Unions that, apart from the wage negotiations then in progress, questions of wages and conditions of service should, during the remainder of the period of control under the Ministry of Transport Act, be dealt with by a Central Board consisting of five railway representatives and five representatives of the two Unions. Failing agreement by the Central Board, disputes should be referred to a National Wages Board consisting of four railway managers, four railway workers or their representatives, and four users of railways, one nominated by the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress, one by the Co-operative Union, one by the Federation of British Industries, and one by the Associated Chambers of Commerce, with an independent chairman appointed by the Government. The agreement also provided for Local Committees, to which matters of local importance would be referred. The Railway Executive Committee became unnecessary in view of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, and a new Advisory Committee was set up, consisting of twelve general managers and four representatives of the workers. The Wage Agreement of March 1920