Foreign Airlines Lunch (Minister's Absence) (Hansard, 10 December 1947)

§ 32. Commander Noble
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what meetings he has had during 1947 with the committee of foreign airlines' representatives in the United Kingdom.

§ Mr. Lindgren
None, Sir.

§ Commander Noble
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say why he and the Minister did not take the opportunity of such a meeting which was afforded by the luncheon at the Savoy Hotel recently?

§ Mr. Lindgren
Because I am a trade unionist, and I hope I shall always remember that fact.

§ Mr. Nicholson
Is not the hon. Member one of His Majesty's Ministers?

§ Mr. Lindgren
Yes, Sir, and there is no conflict between the two.

§ Earl Winterton
In order to give greater elucidation to the House, will the Parliamentary Secretary state which he places first—his duty as one of His Majesty's Ministers, or his duty as a lesser trade unionist?

§ Mr. Lindgren
That conflict of interest never arises.

Hon. Members
It did.

§ Sir Wavell Wakefield
In view of the fact that the T.U.C. did not recognise this strike, how comes it that the Minister refused to attend?

§ Mr. Lindgren
I am grateful to the hon. Member for that supplementary question, which enables me to say that the Trade Union Congress was not involved in my decision in any shape or form; and they took no part by giving advice, instructions, or any contact in any way.