HC Deb 29 July 1953 vol 518 cc1294-6
53. Mr. N. Macpherson

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation what machinery exists in the British airways corporations by which members of the Aeronautical Engineers Association may make representations to the managements of the corporations, in view of the refusal of the trade union side of the national joint council to entertain representations from members of organisations not affiliated to the Trades Union Congress.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Mr. John Profumo)

No special machinery exists outside the National Joint Council, which I am satisfied fulfils the statutory responsibility of the corporations. Of course, any employee of one of the corporations has the right of personal appeal to the management in accordance with the corporation's regulations.

Mr. Macpherson

While recognising the truth of what my hon. Friend has said, may I ask, before he is satisfied in this matter to look very carefully at what is happening at Northolt at the present time when the B.E.A.C. staff is being run down. Will he satisfy himself absolutely that in recommending employees to transfer to London Airport the N.J.C is exercising no discrimination whatsoever in favour of one employee as against another dependent on the union to which he belongs.

Mr. Profumo

I am not aware that there is any victimisation as a result of the transfer of staff of B.E.A.C. to Northolt, but any individual who may feel that he is being victimised can make representations to the management, as I have said in my answer.

Mr. Rankin rose

——

Mr. Mikardo

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that approaches made by the trade unions to the officers of this Association to find a basis upon which its members can be admitted to affiliated organisations have always been rejected? Does not this indicate that the object of those officers is, not to look after the interests of their members, but to make trouble in what is a first-class piece of joint consultation machinery?

Mr. Profumo

I think that is another question.

Mr. Rankin

Question No. 54.

Mr. Speaker

The time is up for Questions.

Mr. Rankin

I was under the impression that before my hon. Friend the Member for Reading, South (Mr. Mikardo) interrupted me, my Question was in order before his supplementary question. Was I wrong in that impression?

Mr. Speaker

The time is up. I allowed the supplementary question of the hon. Member for Reading, South (Mr. Mikardo) because the Question and answer to which it was a supplementary was asked before the time was up. I thought the hon. Member for Tradeston (Mr. Rankin) was about to ask another supplementary question; otherwise I would not have called him.

Mr. Rankin

I was under the impression that my Question had been intimated before the time for closure of Questions had been reached.

Mr. Speaker

I did not share that impression.