§ 23. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Labour what discussions have taken place at the National Joint Advisory Council regarding representations by trade unions to employers' organisations, with a view to providing supplementary unemployment assistance or other forms of compensation in the event of workpeople being dismissed.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodNone, Sir. The discussion of particular conditions of service is a matter for the joint negotiating machinery of individual industries rather than for the Council.
§ Mr. ShinwellAs this matter has assumed general importance affecting a large number of workpeople, many of whom are in dispute about it, would it not be desirable for the right hon. Gentleman himself to take the initiative and bring the matter before the National Joint Advisory Council and ascertain its views, or consult one side or the other? Can he take the opportunity during the next fortnight, when most of the men are on annual holiday, to inquire into this possibility of finding some solution for what is becoming a very vexed problem?
§ Mr. MacleodOf course, it is a vexed problem. As a matter of fact, at the meeting of the N.J.A.C. yesterday I discussed with the members of the Council some of the general problems arising out of automation and the general situation about the displacement of labour. The Council includes representatives of the T.U.C., and I am certain that it regards the question of compensation for dismissal as one for settlement within the industries and, therefore, for joint negotiating machinery. The fact that 620 this has become a matter of national importance highlights the need for having these discussions through the machinery there is rather than through an advisory body, although it is wholly proper that some of the wider aspects of this matter should be discussed at the N.J.A.C.—I agree with the right hon. Gentleman on that—as was done yesterday.
§ Mr. ShinwellThis matter is of general interest and concerns all hon. Members and the general public. Would not the right hon. Gentleman ascertain whether it is possible within his powers to facilitate discussions of this kind? Will he take note of the fact that in the United States, a country supposed not to be as advanced in social matters as we are, schemes of this kind have already been adopted?
§ Mr. MacleodYes, indeed, but the experience of the United States rather proves my point than that of the right hon. Gentleman, because these agreements, which I think my predecessor brought to the attention of the employers and the trade unions, were negotiated by the unions with the motor corporations concerned.