HC Deb 20 July 1933 vol 280 cc2068-70

7.23 p.m.

Mr. PARKINSON

I beg to move, in page 38, line 6, at the end, to insert the words: Provided that the representatives 4 the interests of labour shall be appointed after consultation with the Minister of Labour. The Minister of Labour has to a large extent to do with the setting up of this kind of body, and as he is well acquainted with people suitable to act as representatives of labour, he ought to be taken into consultation by the Minister of Transport in making the appointments. It is said that there is more wisdom in two minds than in one, and we think that such consultation will strengthen the hands of the Minister of Transport. We feel that whatever representatives of labour are appointed, they should be appointed with a due sense of responsibility. They should not represent a small class, but should be representative of the whole country. The Minister of Labour has this kind of work before him continuously, and we believe that he will be able to give the Minister of Transport valuable assistance.

7.25 p.m.

Mr. PRICE

We think that the representatives who are going to sit on this tremendous organisation should represent the interests of the whole trade union movement. We suggest this consultation with the Minister of Labour to ensure that the representatives who will speak on behalf of the employés in this transport organisation shall be men of standing and men who truly represent the labour side of the industry.

7.26 p.m.

Mr. STANLEY

I was a, little grieved when I heard my hon. Friend in moving the Amendment say that these appointments ought to be exercised with a due sense of responsibility, and, apparently in order to ensure that, it was necessary to bring in the Minister of Labour. I confess that as a matter of principle I am not very enamoured of putting into an Act of Parliament what is clearly the duty of the Minister. I do not think that anyone could conceive that a Minister of Transport would appoint representatives of this kind without consulting with the Minister of Labour. I was interested to hear a passionate speech delivered by the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan) only the other day, saying that it was an insult to the Minister to put this kind of thing into a Bill. In that case it was suggested that he should consult with an interest of which the hon. Member disapproved, but he might not make such a, passionate declamation in regard to an interest of which he did approve. I am afraid I have so got into the habit of making concessions on this Bill that it is difficult for me to refuse anything, and if my hon. Friends really feel that there will be some greater security for the representation of the workers if these words are added, I am prepared to accede to their request in the knowledge that it will mean exactly nothing, because it will only tell me to do what I should always do. I am not sure that the words are happy ones, and it may be necessary to make some drafting Amendment, but with that proviso I am prepared to accept it.

Amendment agreed to.