HC Deb 11 September 1941 vol 374 cc274-6
6. Commander Bower

asked the Minister of Labour what action, either by way of legal proceedings or under the Defence Regulations, has been taken against the trade union district delegate in an important ship-repairing area, who is reported by the Select Committee on National Expenditure to have fined members of the union who work overtime without his permission, to have required exorbitantly high rates of pay when his consent is given, to have been primarily responsible for resisting the introduction of pneumatic rivetting to expedite repairs, and to have insisted on the retention of an unnecessary man in the squad?

Mr. Bevin

No action of the kind mentioned has been taken by my Department. I am not in possession of the evidence on which the Select Committee based these references in their Report, nor am I otherwise in a position to produce the evidence that would be necessary to support legal proceedings in a court of law.

Commander Bower

Seeing that these allegations have been made by an extremely important Committee of Members of this House, did not the right hon. Gentleman think it was his duty to investigate those allegations fully and to consult the Home Secretary, with a view to taking some kind of action?

Mr. Bevin

No, Sir. I am not aware upon what evidence the Select Committee based its conclusions, whether it heard the man, or what steps were taken. No name was mentioned.

Mr. Shinwell

Was my right hon. Friend himself informed by certain trade union delegates in a particular part of the country?

Mr. Bevin

I get a lot of reports. Whether that is the same delegate or not the Select Committee has not advised me.

Commander Bower

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to ignore the report?

Mr. S. O. Davies

Is not the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is not an atom of truth in the charges against this particular trade union official?

Mr. Bevin

I do not know the trade union official. I cannot go on hearsay.

Commander Bower

In view of the importance of the question and the complete inadequacy of the Minister's Reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.