HC Deb 20 June 1950 vol 476 cc1043-4
18. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Minister of Labour, seeing that he has referred a dispute between the London Society of Compositors and the London Master Printers' Association to the National Arbitration Tribunal, what steps he has taken to stop the London Society of Compositors from using restrictive practices and from using trade union procedure in furtherance of that dispute, pending a decision by the Tribunal.

Mr. Lee

My right hon. Friend has no authority to intervene in these matters.

Major Legge-Bourke

In view of the fact that the Minister of Labour himself played a considerable part in building up the joint industrial council for this trade, will he not consider taking action to try to dissuade the compositors from breaking away from the council, which they have notified they intend doing?

Mr. Lee

What my right hon. Friend can do in a private capacity is one thing, but what he can do as Minister of Labour is another.

Several Hon. Members rose

—

Mr. Speaker

If the Minister has no authority, I do not see how he can answer.