HC Deb 16 April 1891 vol 352 cc677-8
MR. HOWELL

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Report on Trade Unions for 1889, by the Labour Correspondent to the Board of Trade, is not yet issued; whether he can give some explanation of this exceedingly long delay in issuing such Report; and whether he can inform the House when the Report will be ready for the use of Members?

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

Delay was caused in giving the Report for 1889 in order to fulfil a promise made to Mr. Bradlaugh to include Returns from the great majority, if not the whole, of the Trades Unions in the United Kingdom, instead of the limited number dealt with in previous Reports. This has involved great labour, which falls peculiarly on Mr. Burnett, as much of it cannot be delegated. The delay having been so great, it is believed that it will be most convenient not to issue the Returns until the figures for 1890 can be included. The next issue will accordingly take place towards the end of the present year, and it will be a much more complete Return than any yet made. It will also include the figures for 1890 as well as 1889.

MR. HOWELL

Is it not possible to obtain the Returns earlier? Most of them are published in the month of May. Is it not possible for Members to have them in their hands before the Votes are taken?

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

I will try what I can do to have them published earlier.

MR. HOWELL

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is possible for the Registrar of Friendly Societies to give the whole particulars of the Returns made by registered Trade Unions in his Annual Report; and, if not, will he explain for what reason?

MR. JACKSON

The answer just given by my right hon. Friend seems to dispose of the question which the hon. Member has addressed to me; but if he wishes further information I shall be glad if he will speak to me, and I will suggest what I consider the best course for dealing with the question.

MR. HOWELLM

The question is not exactly the same as that which I put to the President of the Board of Trade. I ask whether, when a certain form is filled up by the Registrar of Friendly Societies as to Returns of registered Trade Unions, it could not be included in the Annual Report?

MR. JACKSON

My desire is to avoid giving portions of the Returns by one Department and other portions by another Department. My object in suggesting that the hon. Member should speak to me is to try and find out whether some plan may not be decided upon by which we can improve the Returns.