HC Deb 30 November 1908 vol 197 cc1084-6
MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now state the result of his conference with the directors of the North British Railway Company anent their action in compelling six of their employees to withdraw from the Lady-bank (Fife) Town Council.

MR. CHURCHILL

The Board of Trade have been in communication with the North British Railway Company on this subject and have received the following reply from the general manager:—"Dear Sir Hudson, With reference to our conversation at the Conference yesterday as to Mr. Keir Hardie's question regarding employees of this Company as town councillors of Ladybank, I beg to say that this Company has not, nor has it ever had, any rule or regulation which prevents their employees from being members of the town councils. To look no further than the case of Ladybank itself, Ladybank has been a burgh since 1876, and from that date servants of this Company have been continuously members of the town council. The company has no intention to enforce any restriction upon its employees to prevent them serving on town councils so long as such service is not inconsistent with their duty to the Company.—I am, etc., (signed) W. F. Jackson."

Sir Hudson Kearley, Bart., M.P.

MR. KEIR HARDIE

But is the right hon. Gentleman aware that six of the employees of this company have been compelled to resign their seats on the Ladybank Town Council, owing to the action of the company? Is there any guarantee there will be no repetition of that in the future?

MR. CHURCHILL

I think the letter I have just read is the guarantee.

MR. KEIRHARDIE

Has the general manager of this railway in any way explained why these six men were obliged to withdraw from the town council? Is it alleged the meetings of the council would interfere with their duties to the company?

MR. CHURCHILL

I cannot carryall the details in my head. I will make inquiry, but I think that probably the explanation is that it was felt their work on the council would be prejudicial to the discharge of their duty to the company.

MR. KEIR HARDIE

IS the right hon. Gentleman aware that the men have served on the council for years without complaint, and it was only when a dispute arose with the town clerk, who is solicitor to the railway company, that they were compelled to withdraw?

[No Answer was returned.]

MR. H. C. LEA

Is there not a Bill affecting this company coming on to- night? Will the right hon. Gentleman telegraph to the general manager for an explanation with regard to the case of these men, and get a reply before the Bill is taken?

MR. CHURCHILL

I will endeavour to get all the information I can.

LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)

Has the question of the Ladybank Town Council any relation to the Bill coming before the House?

[No Answer was returned.]