§ 14. Mr. MANDERasked the Home Secretary whether the Government will consider the advisability of including in the Factories Bill powers to set up in factories works councils representing employers and employed?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe establishment of works councils in factories for the joint consideration of matters falling within the scope of the Factory Acts, such as the prevention of accidents, organisation of welfare arrangements and the like, is in my opinion a very valuable means of improving conditions of work, and I am in full sympathy with it; but it seems to me, in general, that such councils are likely to do the best work when established by mutual consent. I may add that there is already power, so far as safety matters are concerned, to deal with any exceptional cases. So far as the question is intended to cover other matter not within my jurisdiction, I cannot express any opinion.
§ Mr. MANDERDoes the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that the Government do not propose to give any statutory powers for the setting up of works councils, but propose to leave the whole thing to voluntary action?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe effect of my answer was to indicate that it is not advisable to give statutory powers.
Viscountess ASTORWas it not the setting up of these works councils that drove Italy into Fascism? [Interruption.] I think it was; they told me.
§ 32. Mr. MANDERasked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to include 602 a Clause in the Factories Bill giving to workers the right of partnership in the conduct of industry and a share in its profits.
§ Mr. CLYNESNo, Sir. Such matters would be entirely outside the scope of the Factory Acts.
§ Mr. MANDERWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of extending the scope of the Factories Bill so as to give the workers of this country these elementary human rights?