§ 20. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Labour whether there is now any compulsion to join the National Union of Mineworkers exercised upon men who have been at any time directed into the mining industry and who are at present working in that industry.
§ Mr. IsaacsI understand that in some few collieries by agreement between the management and the National Union of Mineworkers, it is a condition of employment that the workers should be members of the union. Where in the past a man was directed into employment in one of these collieries and was unwilling to join the union, it was necessary to transfer him to another colliery where this condition of employment did not apply.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterWould the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will not abdicate his responsibility towards these men whom he has directed into this industry?
§ Mr. IsaacsI will accept and discharge any responsibility which rests upon me.
§ Mr. AwberyIs not my right hon. Friend of the opinion that those men who do not join the union should not share the privileges, financial and otherwise, which are gained by the organisation?