§ 44. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that branches of trade unions are imposing fines, with the alternative of 27 expulsion, upon members who remained at work during the general strike; and if he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to give protection to such persons?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)Up to the present, 31 cases have been reported to the Ministry where penalties of fine, expulsion or refusal of benefit were imposed by unions on their members on account of action during the general strike. In 21 cases the penalty has been cancelled, and in the remaining 10 cases the Ministry is still in communication with the unions concerned. Up to the present, therefore, the position does not seem to be such as to call for special steps in advance of the general consideration which is being given to these and allied matters.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKWhen will the hon. Gentleman get the hundreds that have not been reported?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThat is obviously a question which I cannot answer. Up to the present the number is as I have stated.
Commander WILLIAMSWhy is it that in some cases the leaders of the unions systematically refuse in any way to take these fines away?
§ Mr. T. KENNEDYIs not the practice suggested in the question a common practice among employers when their interests are involved?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI cannot reply. The question I was asked was about certain blanches of trade unions which have imposed fines upon members who remained at work during the strike.
§ Mr. KENNEDYis not this practice common among federated bodies of employers
§ Mr. BETTERTONThat I cannot answer.
§ Mr. J. H. THOMASCan the hon. Gentleman let the House have the names of the unions? It is unfair to have a general statement. He knows, as we know, that he has taken up the matter with certain unions, and it would be fairer to let the names be known.
§ Mr. BETTERTONI will certainly consider that with my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. HURSTIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Transport Union is inflicting fines of £1 on loyalists who worked at the Manchester and Salford Docks?
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill the hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether the rank and file of members did not themselves make their own rules, and agree to abide by them?
§ Mr. LANSBURYIn pursuing his inquiries will the hon. Gentleman investigate what happens to a doctor or a lawyer who is not loyal to his own class?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo doubt all these considerations will be taken into account.
Commander WILLIAMSWill my hon. Friend particularly look into the case of the builders' unions, which deliberately stopped the men building houses under the Chamberlain scheme?