§ 15. Sir Irving Alberyasked the Minister of Labour whether when a worker has been directed to another area and a strike takes place involving the union of which the worker is a member, the worker in question fails to qualify for the guaranteed wage or for the continuing liability allowances unless he reports for work, in spite of the strike in which his union is engaged; and whether he is also refused permission to return to his former employment in his own area?
§ Mr. BevinI assume that my hon. Friend refers to a worker directed to employment in an undertaking scheduled under the Essential Work Order. If the worker fails to report for work he is not entitled to the guaranteed wage or allowances. If he wishes to return to his former employment the National Service Officer will consider his application. If permission to return is refused, he has the usual right of appeal.
§ Sir I. AlberyDoes the result of that answer not mean that a worker who is directed to another district forfeits all pay and allowances unless he is willing, I might say able, to blackleg the union with which he is now working?
§ Mr. BevinThe point is that if there is a strike and the man wants to return because of the strike the National Service Officer will take that into account immediately the case is brought to him.