HC Deb 25 November 1909 vol 13 cc355-6
Mr. KEIR HARDIE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention had been drawn to the dismissal by the North British Railway Company of Moncrieff Craig, Ladybank, East Fife, a workman who had been many years in the service of the company and bore a good character, for taking part in municipal affairs during hours when he was not required to be on duty; whether, as the result of the action of the company, none of its servants would allow himself to be nominated for the Ladybank Town Council at the recent municipal elections; what are the powers possessed by his Department for dealing with such cases; and how does he propose to exercise them?

Mr. CHURCHILL

My attention has previously been drawn by the hon. Member to the dismissal of Mr. Craig, but I have no information as to the other circumstances mentioned in the question. The matter is not one in regard to which the Board of Trade have any powers.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

Is it not a fact that this railway company gave an undertaking to allow their servants to take part in municipal elections and to serve on public bodies so long as it did not interfere with the carrying out of their duty to the company; and will he state whether the Board of Trade have any power to ensure the liberty of railway servants in this respect; and if he has not power will he seek further powers to see that railway servants are protected in this matter?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am advised that I have no power to interfere, but I believe this company expressed a desire not to interfere with the discharge of municipal duties by their servants if it did not interfere with the carrying out of their ordinary duties. Of course, I have no power to interfere in the case of individual workmen.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

In view of the undertaking given to the Board of Trade and repeated in this House, will the President of the Board of Trade call the attention of this railway company to the continuance of this practice?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I do not think I am justified in allowing it to be understood that I agree with the statement that this company has intimidated its workmen.