§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he was aware that certain workmen employed by the Port of London Authority had been ordered to remove their trades union buttons from their coats; and whether he would state by whose authority this was done?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)This is not a matter over which Board of Trade have any control. I have, however, ascertained from the Port of London Authority that, following the practice previously adopted by the London and India Docks Company, their regulations do not permit labourers to wear any distinctive badge while in the docks or town warehouse, on the ground that such a badge might lead to a disagreement among the labourers working together. No difference is made between union and non-union men.