HC Deb 23 July 1914 vol 65 c782

As amended, considered.

Motion made, and Question proposed, That Standing Orders 223 and 243 be suspended, and that the Bill be now read the third time.—[The Chairman of Ways and Means.]

Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR

When this Bill was under consideration for Second Reading I undertook to use some efforts to induce the Gas Company of Liverpool to meet some of the demands made by my hon. Friend's opposite. The three points on which I undertook to communicate with the company were the creation of a Circulation Board; the consideration of the question of wages, and the relations between the board and the trades union. As to the Circulation Board the company think that is a scheme requiring a good deal of machinery and longer consideration, and is one they are not prepared to give in a moment. With regard to the second point as to wages, that matter has been taken into consideration, and is being considered by the Board at this moment, and I think I can assure my hon. Friend's there will certainly be an addition to the wages of the men. With regard to the third point, namely, the recognition of the right of the men to call in the trade union official for negotiations with the Board. I am in a position to make this authoritative statement on behalf of the company:— If and when a bonâ fide majority of the workers employed by the company desire to be represented by the official of the Gas Workers and General Labourers Union, the company will offer no opposition. I hope my hon. Friends will see that I have succeeded so far in getting their views met, that that will induce them to abstain from any further opposition.

Mr. CLYNES

In view of the statement made by my hon. Friend, I wish to state I do not intend to move the Motion which stands in my name. I would, however, like to say that the term "majority" mentioned in the statement I would interpret to mean the majority of the particular class which might have a grievance for the time, say a majority of the manual workers, the particular class in this Debate we are representing.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read accordingly the third time, and passed with Amendments.