HC Deb 12 February 1934 vol 285 cc1583-5
41. Mr. MAXTON

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will take steps to facilitate membership of a trade union by all men serving in the Royal Navy previous to their discharge from the Service, or what other steps he proposes to take to safeguard the right of such discharged men, under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, to appeal to the umpire through a recognised association, of which they were members, before becoming unemployed in the event of such men being refused unemployment benefit before being able to find employment after discharge from the Royal Navy?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell)

No obstacle is placed in the way of naval ratings joining trade unions.

Mr. MAXTON

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if facilities are given to trade union officials to visit men with a view to their becoming members of a trade union?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

Naval ratings are quite aware of the rule, and it is unnecessary to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

Mr. MAXTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Department circularises the men, impressing on them the importance of becoming members of trade unions before they leave the Service so that their rights under the Unemployment Insurance Fund and in other directions may be safeguarded?

Mr. HANNON

Will my right hon. Friend take care to do nothing of the kind?

Commander MARSDEN

Is the House to understand that a man who leaves the Service and does not belong to a trade union is under any disadvantage as compared with men who do belong to trade unions?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

That is a question for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour. In answer to the hon. Member for Bridgeton (Mr. Maxton), the men are acquainted with the provisions of the Service, and it is quite unnecessary to do anything of the kind suggested.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Is it not a fact that the new Bill alters the law in this respect, and will the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the altered circumstances and the need of men to safeguard their rights, notify the men that they should belong to an organisation before they are discharged?

42. Mr. BUCHANAN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will take steps to facilitate membership of a trade union by airmen previous to their discharge from the Royal Air Force, or what other steps he proposes to take to safeguard the right of a discharged airman under the Unemployment Insurance Acts to appeal to the umpire through an association, of which he was a member, before becoming unemployed in the event of his being refused unemployment benefit before he is able to find employment after his discharge from the Royal Air Force?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)

No obstacle will be placed in the way of airmen joining a trade union to enable them to enter civil life as members.

44. Mr. BUCHANAN

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will take steps to facilitate the Membership of a trade union by soldiers previous to their discharge from the Army, or what other steps he proposes to take to safeguard the right of such discharged soldier to appeal to the Umpire through an association under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in the event of his being refused unemployment benefit before he is able to find employment after his discharge from the Army?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)

If soldiers wish to join a trade union, no obstacles are placed in their way.

Mr. BUCHANAN

In view of the alteration of the law in the new Bill, and the need for the soldier previous to his discharge, particularly the long-term serving soldier, safeguarding his rights, will the hon. Gentleman re-circularise the men bringing to their notice these facts and facilitating their joining of a trade union?

Mr. COOPER

I am not aware of any necessity to do that.

Mr. GROVES

Is there any collaboration between the Services in this respect?

Mr. MAXTON

Will the hon. Gentleman grant facilities to my hon. Friend and myself to visit the men and explain to them the disabilities that they would be under in the event of their not joining a trade union before they leave the Service?

Mr. COOPER

If the hon. Member wishes to visit any particular unit, we shall be very glad to consider his application.