§ 31. Mr. Dainesasked the Minister of Labour what evidence has been submitted to him of restrictive practices in the printing industry; and what action is being taken by his Department.
§ Mr. IsaacsNo such practices have been brought to my notice. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. DainesIs my right hon. Friend aware that in its issue of 23rd September the "Daily Mirror" drew attention to a pamphlet circulated by the political com- 936 mittee of the Constitutional Club members, M.P.s and prospective Conservative candidates, which alleges—and here I quote—that
For many years the N.A.T.S.O.P.A. union has restricted the rate of printing to a basic figure unless extra men are employed.May I take it that there is no basis in fact for this serious allegation?
§ Mr. IsaacsI can give my hon. Friend an assurance, from my personal knowledge, that that story is absolutely untrue. It is, in fact, just a Tory story.
§ Mr. Henry StraussAre we to assume from the Minister's having consented to answer the last question that he takes responsibility for the "Daily Mirror"?
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, but I should have thought that when an organisation published and took responsibility for an unjust allegation against honest and decent working men, they would have been decent enough to apologise.