HC Deb 30 March 1943 vol 388 cc31-3
49. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Prime Minister whether he has completed his inquiry into the refusal of the Minister of Labour to receive Members of this House in deputation unless accompanied by a trade union official; and whether he has now any statement to make?

The Prime Minister

I have now looked into this matter as I promised, and have discussed it fully with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour. The position is as follows. On 25th May, 1940, in the deadly crisis of the war, the Minister of Labour met the executives of all the trade unions at a conference at the Central Hall, and appealed to them to join with the Government in increasing production, preventing strikes or lockouts, and facilitating and speeding up procedure so as to avoid difficulties arising. The Minister then, with the authority of the Government, gave a pledge, not in any way subsequently challenged in the House of Commons, that so far as His Majesty's Government were concerned they would deal with these problems through the executives of the respective organisations. This was followed by a conference of both the parties, the Trades Union Congress and the British Employers' Confederation. As a result of these negotiations, which must be taken as a whole, the parties agreed to accept compulsory arbitration, and this was embodied in an Order, No. 1305, made under Defence Regulations.

It would, in my opinion, be a breach of this understanding, from which we have derived and are deriving enormous benefit, if the Minister of Labour were to allow the official representatives of the trade unions to be by-passed, and were to discuss or negotiate with unofficial bodies, behind the backs of the responsible representatives of the unions, in respect of any of the matters covered directly or indirectly by Defence Regulation No. 1305.

I must make it clear that His Majesty's Government is working hand in hand with the Trades Union Congress in this task of beating down Hitler and Nazi-ism, and that both sides intend to stand strictly to their engagements until this great quarrel is brought to a satisfactory conclusion.

On the other hand, my right hon. Friend assures me that he is always ready to see any Member of Parliament on any subject, as is the usual practice, and he has, in fact, seen Members repeatedly on these very subjects.

There is no constitutional obligation upon Ministers to receive any particular deputations, whether headed by Members of Parliament or not; I believe, however, that the practice of Ministers in making themselves as accessible as possible to Members of this House works smoothly and that there are no serious reasons for departing from our usual methods. If any hon. Members have grounds for dissatisfaction at any time, there are Parliamentary opportunities for raising such matters. I must make it clear, however, that so far as His Majesty's present advisers are concerned, we consider ourselves pledged by the negotiations of May, 1940, and we shall ask the House to support us in this view, which We regard as essential to the war effort.

Mr. Gallacher

Is not the Prime Minister aware that a Member can receive a deputation from a factory in his constituency which raises matters that are not the subject of discussion between trade unions and the Employers' Federation? Is it not essential that in such a case any Minister should be prepared to receive that Member with that deputation?

The Prime Minister

I have nothing to add to my reply.

Mr. Kirkwood

Arising out of the original reply, is not the Prime Minister aware that it is quite impossible for me to get into touch with an official of our union so easily as heretofore because our offices in London have been bombed and we have had to take temporary offices in Northampton? Why should not the arrangement that existed before the present Minister of Labour came into office be continued?

Mr. W. H. Green

Is the Prime Minister aware——

Mr. Kirkwood

Wait until the Prime Minister has answered my supplementary.

Mr. Green

Is the Prime Minister aware that there exist in London and the London area officers of the union who are always available?