Explanation:

Correct Option: 1 (pre-emptory).

Section 8 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, deals with the power of a court to refer parties to arbitration when there is a valid arbitration agreement between them. The provision is pre-emptory, meaning that if the conditions of the arbitration agreement are met, the court must refer the dispute to arbitration. It is mandatory for the court to send the matter to arbitration unless there are specific legal grounds to refuse such a referral. This ensures that the parties' agreed method of resolving disputes through arbitration is upheld.