HC Deb 31 January 1951 vol 483 c892
45. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Prime Minister whether, as the result of his conversations and correspondence with the Durham County Council, he now has been able to ascertain whether the procedure of demanding from its employees evidence of membership either of a professional association or a trade union is still being carried on.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Tyne-mouth (Miss Ward) on Monday, 29th January.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recall that last week the Lord President of the Council said that he had no information at all on this matter, and is it not essential that the two Ministers who answer in the House on this issue should co-ordinate their intelligence?

The Prime Minister

It is completely co-ordinated, and I would suggest to the hon. Member that if he wants to put another Question it should be put to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning and Local Government.

Miss Irene Ward

May I ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Government have stated quite categorically that they are opposed to the action of the Durham County Council, they will now consider repealing the last Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Act, so that they may take legal action against the Durham County Council?