§ 44. Lieutenant William Griffithsasked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the dismissal of a disabled ex-Serviceman by Messrs. Washington of Manchester; whether he is award, that this man's dismissal prompted 17 of his colleagues including eight ex-Servicemen, all members of a newly-formed trade union branch, to strike in sympathy; and what action he proposes to take to secure this man's reinstatement.
§ Mr. IsaacsI am aware of the case to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. A joint meeting between the employer and the trade union has been held under the auspices of my Department. I understand that the man concerned was dismissed in order to permit the reinstatement of a former employee returning from H.M. Forces. I have no powers which would enable me to secure his reinstatement.
§ Lieutenant GriffithsIs my right hon. Friend aware that the first statement of the employer in this case was that he did not like this man's face—an excuse for dismissal, or an expression of opinion, which might go very ill with some of us in our employment in this House?
§ Mr. IsaacsI would hesitate to gamble upon my security of tenure if that applied to me. This was a case in which 15 men and two women were concerned. They took action against the advice of their trade union and declined the advice of their trade union about resumption of 2506 work. The matter has been negotiated between the employer and the trade union concerned, and I hope they will find a satisfactory settlement.
Sir W. DarlinģMay the House learn the name of this newly formed union? As a believer in private enterprise, I would like to know the name of this new enterprise.