HC Deb 28 January 1937 vol 319 cc1044-5
6 and 7. Mr. E. J. Williams

asked the Minister of Labour (1), what action he has taken in the dispute between the District Bank and its staff;

(2) whether the District Bank have yet recognised bona fide collective bargaining with the Bank Officers' Guild as the national trade union representing the majority of its staff; and whether the intimidation instigated by the chief general manager of the District Bank, of which charges have been made by the Bank Officers' Guild, has ceased?

Mr. E. Brown

Following representations made to me by the Bank Officers' Guild I have been in communication with the District Bank. I am not in a position to make any further comment at the present time, but I ought to say that the bank does not admit that there has been intimidation.

Mr. Williams

In view of the serious feeling that exists among the staff of the bank, would not the Minister agree that it would be advisable to conduct a ballot in order to find out exactly the feeling of the staff with regard to the Bank Officers' Guild, such as was conducted under the auspices of the Mines Department some time ago?

Mr. Brown

I think the House will agree that it would be improper for me to make any further comment on the matter.

Sir Joseph Nall

Is the procedure adopted by this bank any different from that of other banks?

Mr. Brown

We are dealing with a particular case. If the hon. Member will read the answer, he will see that, in the circumstances of the case, it would be better for me to make no further comment.

Mr. Rhys Davies

In view of the fact that the majority of the employés are desirous of being organised as members of this association, and in view of the fact that it is better for the relations between the bank and its staff that they should be properly organised, is it not possible to get the association recognised by the bank, and would not the Minister of Labour use his influence to that end?

Mr. Brown

I have no further comment to make.