HC Deb 17 December 1929 vol 233 cc1203-5
Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. LAMBERT WARD

I desire your guidance, Mr. Speaker. For several days I have attempted to put questions to the Minister of Labour on the subject of the dismissal of the tramwaymen in Hull, but I have been informed that questions on that subject cannot be allowed, and I desire your guidance as to what action I can take, in view of the importance of the question, in view of the apparent intimidation and victimisation, and in view of the fact that your predecessor in office on several occasions allowed similar questions to be asked.

Mr. THORNE

Before you reply, Mr. Speaker, may I ask if you are aware that I put down a question yesterday as to the victimisation of these men during 1926?

Mr. SPEAKER

Seeing that the responsibility rests entirely with the Hull Corporation, no Minister here is responsible, and consequently no questions can be addressed to Ministers. Further, I am credibly informed that legal proceedings are pending, in which case it would not be advisable to ask questions here.

Sir A. SINCLAIR

Did not the Prime Minister of the last Government give an undertaking on behalf of his Government that he would see that these men were not victimised, and, if he has no responsibility, how could he honourably give such an undertaking?

Sir A. LAMBERT WARD

May I call attention—

Sir A. SINCLAIR

Before the hon. Member puts that question, may I have an answer to my question?

Mr. SPEAKER

Whatever responsibility the late Government incurred in this respect, I do not think it remains with subsequent Governments for all time.

Sir A. LAMBERT WARD

May I call your attention, Mr. Speaker, to a question which your predecessor allowed the hon. Member for St. Helens (Mr. Sexton) to ask on the 24th November, 1926, as follows: Mr. Sexton asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that some hundreds of men lately employed by the employers in the milling industry in the Mersey district are still being victimised for their action during the General Strike, notwithstanding an agreement between the men's organisations and the employers and a promise on the part of the latter that all employés should be reinstated in accordance with the Prime Minister's suggestion when the General Strike closed; and if he can do anything through his Department to help to secure the recognition of this suggestion?" (OFFICIAL REPORT, 24th November, 1926; col. 391; Vol. 200.] That question was answered by the right hon. Gentleman the then Minister of Labour, who is now the Member for Tamworth (Sir A. Steel-Maitland).

Mr. SPEAKER

That may be quite true, but that was a comparatively short time after the event, and I do not understand that whatever undertaking was given holds good for ever. No Minister is responsible for what the Hull Corporation does, and I do not see how he can be.

Mr. BEAUMONT

Are we to understand, from your Ruling, that this House has no control over the local authorities, and that they can do what they like without any redress or without the subject being raised in this House?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is rather a wider question. It is conceivable that in some cases the responsibility of the Government might arise, but hon. Members can easily understand that local government would come to an end if this House interfered with the delegated powers of local authorities.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

If a Prime Minister gives a pledge on behalf of the nation, is it not in order to ask his successor whether he proposes to continue that policy; and, if it is not in order, is not the respect to which this House is entitled from the public involved?

Mr. SPEAKER

Certainly, that would be quite a proper question to put to the Prime Minister.

Mr. BRACKEN

I put that question to the Prime Minister yesterday, and it was not admitted.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

In view of your Ruling, Mr. Speaker, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he proposes to implement the undertaking given by his predecessor that there would be no victimisation arising from the General Strike?

Mr. SPEAKER

I think that notice ought to be given of that question.

Mr. THURTLE

May I ask if it is not a fact that no pledge was given, but that the Prime Minister of the day merely made an appeal to the employers of the country, and that such appeal in many cases fell on deaf ears?

Mr. SPEAKER

I cannot be expected to give any opinion on that subject.