HC Deb 13 December 1933 vol 284 cc368-9
69. Sir HERBERT SAMUEL

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the representations from municipalities in Lancashire or other bodies favouring legislation to the effect that agreements which have been entered into by organisations of employers and employed in the cotton trade or in other industries should be made obligatory upon all engaged in the industry concerned; and whether the Government will consider the introduction of legislation on the lines of the Industrial Councils Bill introduced as a private Member's Bill last Session?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

I would refer the right hon. Member to the statement made in the House on 29th November by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board that any joint representations made by employers' and operatives' organisations in the cotton industry would receive our sympathetic consideration. As regards general legislation such as that referred to by the right hon. Gentleman there are wide differences of view among employers' and employés' organisations and among the joint industrial councils themselves as to the desirability of such legislation.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Will the Minister favourably consider other organisations besides the cotton industry, such as newspapers?