HC Deb 22 May 1952 vol 501 cc665-6

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

53. Mr. HOLLIS,—To

ask the Minister of Labour what communication he has received from the Amalgamated Engineering Union concerning the repudiation of the Relaxation of Customs Agreement; and what effect this will have on the position of dilutees in Air Ministry Maintenance Units.

Mr. Lee

May I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on what I think a very important matter? Owing to the time factor, the Minister of Labour has not had an opportunity of replying to Question No. 53, the inference of which is that a certain trade union has repudiated the Relaxation of Customs Agreement. If it went from the House that that were so, it would mean that many thousands of people would have to leave the engineering industry. May I ask how it is possible to obtain a reply, as the A.E.U. have not repudiated this Agreement?

Mr. Speaker

The only way in which it can be dealt with is by the answer to the Question.

Mr. Hollis

Further to that point of order. I would point out, Sir, that the Question in no way contains an implication that the Agreement has been repudiated.