§ Not amended (in the Standing Committee), considered.
§ 11.5 a.m.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Ness Edwards)I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read the Third time."
I should like to remind the House of the three things which the Bill does. Firstly, it enables the Ministry to adapt the pattern of the wages councils structure to the changing pattern of industry. 2314 Secondly, it brings the old wages councils arrangements within the ambit of the wages councils structure. Thirdly, it enables us to secure greater expedition in the hearing and settlement of disputes under the wages councils structure. The only point which arose in Committee was in regard to the phrase "substantial proportions." I have written to the right hon. Gentleman opposite indicating our view that it is in common form. It is contained in Order 1305 of 1940. We think that we are not going far wrong in this respect.
§ Mr. McCorquodale (Epsom)We have facilitated the passage of this Bill through Parliament and we wish it well. We hope that it will play a part, if only a small part, in helping to maintain the good relations between the two sides of industry which we have in so marked a measure in the country at the present time. We wish the Bill every success.
§ 11.7 a.m.
§ Mr. Charles Williams (Torquay)As an ordinary Conservative back bencher, I wish to join in welcoming this Bill as one of those Measures designed to further that great structure of social reform which has largely been built up by the Conservative Party. I notice that reference is made in the Bill to a typical Conservative Act, namely, the Holidays with Pay Act. I am glad that it has not escaped the notice of the Government so far as this Bill is concerned. If, by any chance, they had brought in this Bill without covering this point, there would have been a great deal of trouble from some of us, because we stand by and look after the interests of the ordinary working people of this country far more than any hon. Member opposite, with possibly one exception. For that reason, and speaking for the West Country as a whole, regardless of party politics, I welcome the Bill and am glad that it has been brought in. I feel a little sorry that the Parliamentary Secretary, of whom we are all fond, did not expand a little more on the Third Reading of this Bill. It is a Measure which, unlike so many which we are facing today, contains a considerable amount of merit. For that reason, I join in welcoming the Bill.
§ Mr. McAdam (Salford, North)I welcome the Bill on behalf of Labour back benchers. I should not have risen 2315 had it not been for the remarks of the hon. Member for Torquay (Mr. C. Williams). In the late 1930's I was concerned in organising transport employees both in regard to working conditions and their weekly wages, and I know the difficulties which we encountered at that time, particularly from Tory employers. I am glad to see that this Bill removes those difficulties.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read the Third time, and passed.