HC Deb 27 June 1927 vol 208 cc24-5
37. Mr. CECIL WILSON

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state, with regard to the 2,403 employers' associations concerned with labour matters, whether these associations exist for regulating the relations between workmen and masters, or between masters and masters, or for improving conditions, or the conduct of any trade or business, or for what purpose they exist, and in what way and for what purpose the Ministry come in contact with them; and whether, in regard to the 100 principal associations, he can give the same information regarding membership, income, expenditure, and funds as is given in the Eighteenth Abstract of Labour Statistics in regard to 100 principal trade unions?

Mr. BETTERTON

The employers' associations enumerated in the Ministry of Labour's Directory of Employers' Associations, Trade Unions, etc., are those which are known by the Department to concern themselves in some way with matters relating the employment of labour. The Ministry of Labour comes into contact with many of them in the conduct of Departmental business, for example, in connection with negotiations and the collection of statistical and other information as to conditions of labour. I am unable to give the information asked for as to the membership and finances of these associations. Such of them as are registered trade unions are included in the Annual Report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies.

Mr. WILSON

Will the hon. Gentleman say what was the character of the negotiations which took place?

Mr. BETTERTON

Negotiations generally in which we assist in the settlement of disputes. We obtain statistical and other information of the kind indicated in the question, where we can, in order to place them in our records.

Mr. MACKINDER

Can the hon. Gentleman say who is the authority who decides whether or not these associations are trade unions, registered or unregistered.

Mr. BETTERTON

I cannot answer that question without notice, but any registered association under the Friendly Societies Act must comply with the rules laid down by the Registrar.

Mr. MACKINDER

I am not asking that. Who is the authority who decides whether they are trade unions, registered or unregistered?

Mr. BETTERTON

That question, again, I cannot answer without notice.

Mr. MACKINDER

What is the authority that decides whether or not they are trade unions? I ask for the purpose of information.

Mr. BETTERTON

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to put that down in the form of another question.