HC Deb 29 January 1957 vol 563 cc841-2
30. Mr. Lee

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give an assurance that no Government legislation will be introduced to amend the Truck Acts to make possible the payment of wages by cheque.

Mr. Iain Macleod

As the hon. Member knows, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I have given some attention to this matter. I have recently discussed it with the National Joint Advisory Council, and I am considering, with my colleagues, the views expressed by both sides of industry.

Mr. Lee

Would the Minister agree that, to introduce a system of this type without making any sort of arrangements as to how cheques could, in fact, be utilised by local grocers and the like—to say nothing about complications of a domestic nature which may well arise—would not be a good thing at this particular time; and would he bear in mind that a very large section of organised labour would not like to see such a development take place?

Mr. Macleod

With respect, I think that the hon. Gentleman is chasing the wrong hare, because ever since 1831 it has been possible under the Truck Acts, with the consent of the worker—which, of course, would always be preserved—to pay wages by cheque. It is only alterations in the banking structure that has made the Truck Acts inoperable. But of course I will take very carefully into account the views put to me, some very forcibly, by trade union representatives at my meeting.

Mr. Lee

Then may I ask the Minister whether he would now guarantee that before contemplating any such introduction he would make the most minute investigations in order to find out whether the workers in industry would welcome this arrangement or not?

Mr. Macleod

I certainly should not contemplate bringing in any Government legislation until the very fullest consultations had taken place.

Mr. Page

Can my right hon. Friend find any good cause why it should remain a crime, under a Statute a century and a quarter old, for employers and employees freely to agree amongst themselves for the payment of wages in any form?

Mr. Macleod

There is no doubt that if such a Clause had been introduced as, for example, my hon. Friend is contemplating in his Private Bill, it would have done little more, in fact nothing more, than restore the original position of the Truck Acts; but the point that was put to me with some force was, not that there was anything wrong in the system, but that it might lead to undesirable pressure upon workpeople being introduced. I am not saying whether that point of view is right or wrong, but it is one that I must take into account.