HC Deb 05 August 1947 vol 441 c1272
15. Mr. Lester Hutchinson

asked the Minister of Labour why the British Government delegate at the I.L.O. Conference at Geneva opposed the amendment moved by the Australian Government delegate that no worker should be discriminated against in any way or be dismissed because he was a member, or agent, or official of a trade union.

Mr. Isaacs

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 17th July to the hon. Member for Mile End (Mr. Piratin) a copy of which I am sending him.

Mr. Hutchinson

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that we can go too far in denying human rights in order to appease American big business?

Mr. Isaacs

I think that if the hon. Gentleman will read my answer, he will see that there is a misunderstanding as to what the resolution was.

Mr. Drayson

Can the Minister say whether the British delegation supported any resolution which laid down that a worker should not be discriminated against because he did not become a member of a union?

Mr. Isaacs

I gave a full answer on this subject in reply to the Question to which I have referred and another Question by the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter). Both Questions overlapped and were based upon a Press statement which was not a complete report of rather lengthy proceedings If the hon. Gentleman looks at the answer, I think he will find that that is so.

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