§ 37. Mr. G. Straussasked the Postmaster-General whether the British Broadcasting Corporation have yet taken any steps to implement the recommendation of the Ullswater Committee that trade unions should be permitted to organise eligible employeés of the corporation, in view of the fact that many grades of employés are at present not working under trade union conditions?
§ The Postmaster-General (Major Tryon)I understand that members of the staff of the British Broadcasting Corporation have full liberty to belong to any trade union for which they are eligible, and that it is the policy of the corporation to secure that the conditions of employment of its staff are in every case at least as good as those commonly obtaining in the case of comparable workers. If the hon. Member will send me particulars of any case in which difficulty has arisen, I will communicate with the corporation as regards the matter.
§ Mr. StraussIs the Postmaster-General aware that 1,40o members of the staff of the B.B.C. are entitled to be members of a trade union, and that the organisers of these trade unions have applied to the director for permission to organise these 779 members, and that in all cases they have been refused permission?
§ Major TryonI am not aware that everybody is compelled to accept the policy of the Labour party. If the hon. Member will read the report of the Ullswater Committee he will see that they recommended that facilities should be given within the B.B.C. either for a central staff organisation or for smaller bodies representing the appropriate groups which they might wish to set up, and the corporation accepted this recommendation.
§ Mr. StraussIs the right hon. and gallant Member aware that no decision has been arrived at yet on the Ullswater Committee's report although it is more than a year old?
§ Major TryonA decision was reached a long time ago and announced, and the work is well in hand.
§ Mr. Morgan JonesMay I ask whether a copy of the decision has been conveyed to the members of the staff of the B.B.C., indicating that they are free to join any union they desire?
§ Major TryonThe staff are well aware of the Ullswater Committee's report, the decision of the Government and the willingness of the B.B.C. to afford facilities.
§ Mr. AttleeIs the B.B.C. willing to meet representatives of members of trade unions with regard to their grievances? That is the point.
§ Major TryonI do not think it is the point. The point raised is a question in regard to the recommendation of the Ullswater Committee, and that has been accepted by the B.B.C.
§ Mr. StraussIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.