HC Deb 06 August 1940 vol 363 cc161-3

Order for Consideration of Lords Amendments read.

Motion made, "That the Lords Amendments be now considered."—[Mr. George Hall.]

9.47 p.m.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. George Hall)

With your consent, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, and the consent of the House, I would like shortly to explain the Amendments. The principal Amendments are those which were considered in this House on the Committee stage. A promise was given that the principle of the Amendments would be considered, and if suitable words could be found, the Amendments would be embodied in the Bill in another place. Consultations took place between my hon. Friends on both sides of the House, agreement was reached, the Amendments were inserted in the Bill as promised, and, apart from these two Amendments, the only others are drafting Amendments.

Mr. Ammon (Camberwell, North)

Will my hon. Friend kindly give us some indication of the Amendments? I expect that they are to do with trade union conditions, but if he will tell us, it will give us that amount of information.

Mr. Hall

I was of the opinion that my hon. Friend knew, as I believe he does.

Mr. Ammon

I did know.

Mr. Hall

The Amendments deal with the question of trade unions and the right of the Secretary of State in the consideration of grants of money out of money provided by this Bill to encourage the provision of reasonable facilities for the establishment of trade unions. The second Amendment is really the definition of the Fair Wages Clause, and I want to pay my tribute to the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Price) for providing us with some suitable words which are embodied in this Amendment. One Amendment deals with the granting of reasonable facilities for the establishment of trade unions, and the second one is the definition of the Fair Wages Clause.

Question put, and agreed. to.

Lords Amendments considered accordingly.

CLAUSE 1.—(Schemes for colonial development and welfare.)

Lords Amendment: In page 2, line 5, after "section," insert "as respects any colony."

Mr. George Hall

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

Mr. Deputy-Speaker (Sir Dennis Herbert)

I have to call attention to the fact that this raises—and I think all the following Amendments raise—a question of Privilege, and a Special Entry will be made accordingly in the Journals of the House.

Lords Amendment: In page 2, line 7, after "himself," insert: in a case where the scheme provides for the payment of the whole or part of the cost of the execution of any works, that the law of the colony provides reasonable facilities for the establishment and activities of trade unions, and ".

Mr. Hall

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

The same remark applies in this instance.

Subsequent Lords Amendments agreed to.