§ 76. Mr. ALBERYasked the Minister of Labour what decision has been arrived at, or what instructions have been given, to the manager of the local Employment Exchange, in respect of two non-union joiners for whom employment was found by the Exchange, but who were dismissed by the Sheffield Corporation; and whether it is proposed to admit the claim to refuse to employ workmen sent by Employment Exchanges to fill vacancies unless they are trade unionists?
§ Mr. LAWSONThe responsibility of the Employment Exchange manager is limited to supplying labour, which in this case was, in accordance with the general instructions, selected by a sub-committee of the local employment committee.
§ Mr. BRACKENIs this what the Home Secretary calls administrative persecution?
§ Mr. ALBERYDoes that mean that an employer can state to the Employment Exchange that he requires either union or non-union labour, and will his application be dealt with on those lines?
§ Mr. LAWSONThat is not one of the conditions, but an employer has a power of accepting or refusing any worker sent to him.
§ Mr. ALBERYIn that case, is it within the duty of the Employment Exchange to send, in accordance with an employer's demand, either union or nonunion labour; and, if he refuses union labour, can he demand that non-union labour shall be sent, or vice versa?
§ Mr. LAWSONNo, Sir. The Employment Exchange officials offer the labour at their disposal, under the conditions and instructions sent out to them, a copy of which I will send to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. L. SMITHIs it necessary for the Employment Exchange to find out in every case whether a man is a member of a union or otherwise, in order to obtain a job?
§ Mr. LAWSONNo, Sir.
Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that in the Act itself the rules are set 11 down which have to be complied with when men are sent from an Exchange in response to any application from an employer?