35. Colonel NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether, in connection with the present lock-out in the engineering industry, his attention has been called to an official notice given by a leading trade union to the effect that any member who does not immediately comply with the orders given by his union will be expelled from his union and deprived of his means of livelihood; and what action does he propose to take to safeguard the liberty of the subject in this instance?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have been asked to reply. I saw the reference in the Press upon which my hon. and gallant Friend presumably bases his question. It would not appear that the matter is one in which I can take any action.
§ Mr. J. DAVISONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the trade unions are combined expressly for the purpose of taking joint action? Is he also aware that an order would be issued in like manner from the Engineering Employers' Federation, and that any member of the federation who failed to comply with the order would be expelled from that federation?