§ 47. Mr. BILLINGasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the critical situation which has arisen throughout the country in connection with the recognition by local governing bodies of trade union principles, and that this state of affairs has culminated in a lightning strike in the borough of Hertford of all employés of the corporation; and if, with a view of not only bringing this strike to an end, but of preventing 402 the occurrence of similar strikes throughout the country, he will state what is the policy of the Government in this connection?
§ Mr. PARKERAs the hon. Member was informed on Monday last, my right hon. Friend is not aware of any critical situation of the kind described. It has been the practice of many local governing bodies for some years to recognise trade unions. I understand that, as a result of a difference between the Hertford Corporation and a trade union, twenty-three labourers stopped work on Thursday. The Ministry of Labour has been in communication during the past month with the parties and is endeavouring to secure a settlement. The question of recognition of trade unions by local authorities is in each case a matter for the local authority to determine. No question of Government policy appears to arise, and it is not considered that the situation at Hertford demands exceptional measures from the Government.
§ Mr. BILLINGI should like to ask the Leader of the House, to whom this question is addressed, whether on the question of principle he will say whether it is the policy of the Government, having regard to their close relationship with municipal bodies, to permit trade unions to utilise the machinery of trade unions to force municipal authorities into acts which are opposed to the best interests of the ratepayers?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is obvious that a question which is purely departmental ought to be answered by the Department. There is no question of a new policy by the Government.
Mr. J. JONESCan the right hon Gentleman inform the House whether the hon. Member who has asked the question wants recognition of non-unionism or "blacklegism"?