§ 15. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Labour whether in view of the fact that employees cannot be dismissed without his sanction, he was consulted by the Wolverhampton Council before their introduction of a closed shop for their employees.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The Wolverhampton Council are not under any obligation to obtain my sanction before dismissing an employee.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman has perfectly effective control over any such action, in as much as under the Control of Engagement Order these men cannot be replaced without the permission of his officers?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe hon. Gentleman has asked a specific Question and I have given a definite answer to the Question he asked. If he wants to put another Question, will he please put it on the Order Paper?
Mr. H. D. HughesIs my right hon. Friend aware that it is now 21 months since the decision was taken by the Wolverhampton authority? If the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) wishes to give the Corporation advice in future, I shall be grateful if he will do it more promptly. Secondly, can my right hon. Friend say how many of these employees not paying trade union subscriptions are refusing to benefit from the improved wages and conditions?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIn view of the apparent lack of appropriate advice available to the Wolverhampton Council, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will see that the machinery of his Department will not be used to facilitate the imposition of a closed shop by this or any other authority?
§ Mr. IsaacsIf the hon. Member wanted to put that question to me he should have put it on the Order Paper. I shall be very glad of his assistance in inducing employers who flatly refuse to employ trade unionists, to break down their attitude.