HC Deb 06 December 1951 vol 494 cc2533-4
7. Mr. Leslie Hale

asked the President of the Board of Trade why no representatives of the textile workers' unions were invited to his recent discussion with regard to the future of the Liverpool cotton imports.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Boardman) on 27th November and to the hon. Member for East Dumbartonshire (Mr. Bence) on 29th November.

Mr. Hale

As those answers did not contain any information, will the right hon. Gentleman now tell the House whether it is a matter of Government policy that, when they talk about consulting the trade unions or the T.U.C., they first consult the employers and come to their conclusions and then tell the trade unions what they have decided?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I have had consultations on this matter with the Cotton Board, on which, of course, the trade unions are represented. At that time, it was suggested that it might be useful in any inquiry which should be set up that the unions should, in addition, be separately represented. I had further consultations, I hope of a mutually profitable character, with the unions on the matter.

Mr. Hale

In any event, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake in future to consult with the trade unions first, and not consult them second?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I do not think there are any complaints on either side about my handling of this matter.