§ 9 and 10. Mr. Adamsonasked the Minister of Labour (1) whether his industrial relations department has been in communication with Messrs. H. J. Heinz and Company, Limited, food producers, Harlesden, London, arising out of the request by the employés to be allowed to negotiate with the company through a trade union; and whether the company has agreed to recognise a union as the medium of negotiation for the work-people;
(2) whether his industrial relations officer has been in communication with Messrs. H. J. Heinz and Company, 375 Limited, food producers, Harlesden, London, with regard to the victimisation of a number of their employés for trade union activities; and what was the nature of his report?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydFollowing a request by the trade union, my Department communicated with the firm in question and were informed that it was their desire to continue their present method of discussing questions affecting wages and conditions with their workpeople direct through the works committee. In these circumstances, it was not possible to bring about discussions between representatives of the company and the union on any of the matters involved, including that referred to by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. AdamsonDoes the hon. Member appreciate that this firm deliberately discourages trade union organisation, and is he aware that since this question was put down one employé has been dismissed, entirely because he was a trade unionist; and, further, will he still urge his officers to go into this matter more fully and to do it personally?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI can assure the hon. Member any request by a trade union or other organisation for the good offices of this Department will never be disregarded.
§ Mr. AdamsonBut surely, not purely by correspondence? Surely, some personal inquiries might be made by officers of the Department?
§ Mr. G. StraussWhile this dispute continues, will the hon. Gentleman ask the Kitchen Committee not to buy any more of this firm's goods?