§ 5. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to prevent local authorities from compelling their employees to join trade unions or any other appropriate organisation.
§ Mr. BevanI have no power to intervene between local authorities and their employees in this matter.
§ Sir W. SmithersMay we take it that the right hon. Gentleman is a supporter of the Hitlerian and totalitarian policy of the closed shop?
§ Mr. BevanThe hon. Member can take it for granted that the Minister of Health is not going to take Hitlerian powers of dictating to local authorities.
§ Mr. AwberyWill the right hon. Gentleman persuade the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) that this is 1946 now, and not 1896, and that all negotiations are done through the trade unions?
§ Mr. BevanI have known the hon. Member for Orpington for so many years that I would not try to persuade him of anything.