§ 30. Mr. Yatesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been drawn to the dispute concerning clerks, employed by the British Institute of Engineering Technology in Jerusalem, who have been on strike for the past eight weeks demanding trade union recognition; and what steps he is taking to secure that British firms operating in British mandated territories observe regular trade union conditions and procedure
Mr. Creech JonesYes, Sir. I understand that neither side in this dispute has approached the Government of Palestine for assistance in reaching a settlement. As regards the second part of the Question, I can assure my hon. Friend that in the British Mandated Territories, as elsewhere in the Colonial Empire, it is the policy to foster by all possible means the development and recognition of regular trade union procedure.
§ Mr. YatesCan my right hon. Friend say whether the approval of both sides 1945 is necessary before there can be an intervention in this matter, and would it not be possible to suggest to the Labour Department of the Palestine Government that they should intervene to prevent this dispute from continuing?
Mr. Creech JonesI should like to point out to my hon. Friend that neither side has so far approached the Government in this matter.