HC Deb 17 June 1953 vol 516 c953
12. Mr. Champion

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation to what extent negotiating machinery exists for dealing with disputes between the employees and the employers in the British European Airways service.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The National Joint Council for Civil Air Transport has set up comprehensive machinery for the settlement of terms and conditions of employment of persons employed by the Corporation.

Mr. Champion

Does the right hon. Gentleman by-pass, in individual cases, the machinery of negotiation set up to deal with them, as well as with wages and conditions? I ask this because of the reply which he gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Belfast, North (Lieut.-Colonel Hyde) on Wednesday last.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

No, Sir, but, like any other responsible Minister, I am always glad to use any opportunity of bringing the parties to any discussion together again. I certainly do not deliberately by-pass the appropriate machinery.

Mr. N. Macpherson

What means of negotiation are open to unions not represented on the National Joint Council, since in practice they are debarred from making any representations through that means?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

That is another question.