§ 8. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why the Aeronautical Engineers' Association is not recognised by B.O.A.C., B.E.A. and B.S.A.A. as a negotiating body.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Mr. Lindgren)This is a matter of management. The 1923 established machinery for negotiation between employers and employees in the civil aviation industry is the National Joint Council for Civil Air Transport.
§ Air-Commodore HarveySurely the Minister must have something to do with this? Considering that the majority of the engineers in the three corporations belong to this association, surely there is a case for telling the corporations that they should negotiate through that body?
§ Mr. LindgrenSo far as the latter part of the supplementary question is concerned, that is not the information I have. So far as the first part is concerned, the Minister's responsibility is to see that there is adequate machinery for negotiation. That machinery has been agreed between both sides of the industry—the employers and the trade unions—and there the Minister's responsibility finishes.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartIf it is proved to the Minister that machinery has not been established, as seems to be the case now, is it not then his duty to have another look at the matter?
§ Mr. LindgrenNo, Sir. That machinery has been established.