HC Deb 16 December 1947 vol 445 cc1494-6
45. Mr. Hurd

asked the Prime Minister if he will, as requested, see a deputation from the Federation of Independent Trade Unions, including the Union of Railway Signalmen, to discuss the desirability of trade unions outside the T.U.C. being taken into consultation in furthering plans for national recovery.

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has nothing to add to the reply which he gave to the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Donner) on 4th December.

Mr. Hurd

Is it not unwise in these days to make any body of men feel that their co-operation is not needed because they prefer to keep clear of political affiliations?

Mr. Morrison

The co-operation of all good citizens is needed and should be forthcoming, but it would lead to great inconvenience and difficulty if we were to deal with two collective trade union organisations. This body itself claims only a membership of about 100,000, and there is no question of political affiliation in it, because the Trades Union Congress is not affiliated to any political party.

Mr. Mikardo

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Federation of Independent Trade Unions is so called because it consists of organisations which are not really trade unions and are not at all independent?

Sir William Darling

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the example of the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is prepared to see not only the National Union of Manufacturers but the Federation of British Industries as well? Both these bodies represent different sections of the productive world. Would he not consider that analogy as one worth following?

Mr. Morrison

This analogy is not a perfect one at all, and in any case the hon. Gentleman is putting the argument the wrong way round.

Mr. D. Jones

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a case of a body which claims to be entirely non-political seeking to influence the political head of the State?

Mr. Henry Strauss

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the constitution of the T.U.C. and its standing orders are such that a number of bona fide trade unions cannot affiliate with it? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Does he not realise that the National Union of Teachers and N.A.L.G.O. and other trade unions are not affiliated? Is there any reason why the T.U.C., however excellent a body, should be the only body to be recognised?

Mr. Morrison

I am not aware that this so-called independent body represents the teachers——

Mr. H. Strauss

I did not say it did.

Mr. Morrison

Then that does not help the point. The teachers are dealt with by the Minister of Education and are recognised; N.A.L.G.O. is recognised by the Ministry of Health. It would lead to a chaotic situation if the great Trades Union Congress, representative of organised labour, with many millions of membership, were to be negotiated with almost side by side with this rather small body.