§ 8. Mr. Ralph Ethertonasked the Minister of Labour whether a person directed by his Department into the mining or other industry is forced against that person's will to join a trade union; and what provisions are made to protect individuals so directed by him into an industry where there is agreement between employers and employees in normal circumstances that only union labour be employed?
§ Mr. BevinI have no power to force a person to join a trade union. As regards the second part of the Question, the position is that in exercising my powers of direction I have due regard to the conditions laid down in agreements between employers and workers. I am not aware that any serious difficulty has arisen.