HC Deb 10 February 1942 vol 377 cc1471-2
Mr. Tomlinson

I beg to move, in page 6, line 14, at the end, to insert: 'organisation of employers' except in section two of this Act includes an association of two or more such organisations. This is a drafting Amendment to make it clear that for the general purposes of the Bill there is no distinction between an employers' organisation and an association of such organisations.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Tomlinson

I beg to move, in page 6, line 27, at the end, to insert: and except in Section two of this Act includes an association of two or more such combinations. This Amendment makes it clear that, except in Clause 2, there is no distinction for the purposes of the Bill, between a trade union and an association of trade unions. This and the previous Amendment do not apply to Clause 2 because that Clause deals with the waiving by agreement between employers and trade anions of the right to restoration, and it is necessary to restrict the right to make such agreements to an employers' organisation of which the employer is a member and to an association of trade unions concerned with the maintenance of a trade practice.

Amendment agreed to.

Motion made, and Question proposed: "That the Clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

Mr. Naylor (Southwark, S.E.)

The last three words of Clause 2 are, "between masters and masters." There is no definition of "masters" in Clause 11. I am sorry that the word has crept into the Bill. I intended to move to substitute "employers," but unfortunately I was detained and arrived too late to do so. I hope the Minister will consider it of sufficient importance to make the change on Report and to substitute "employers." The time has gone by when working men regard their employers as masters. It seems to me a great pity that we should mark a progressive Measure of this kind by such an antediluvian expression as "masters."

Mr. Tomlinson

I will look into the point, but a master can be master in his own household, without being an employer, or in association with employers who are masters in their own business.

Mr. Naylor

It is true that he can be a master in his own house, but he is not a master, in this sense, in the factory.

Mr. Tomlinson

It does not mean, of necessity, that he is the owner of the factory.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clauses 12 to 14 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill reported with Amendments, as amended, to be considered upon the next Sitting Day.