§ 28. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Labour if he has yet received a copy of a resolution from the Scottish section of the National Union of Bank Employees; if he will state its terms; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI have received through the Secretary of State for Scotland a copy of the resolution, the terms of which are as follows:
This meeting of Scottish Bank staffs calls upon the managements of the Royal Bank of Scotland and the British Linen Bank to meet representatives of the National Union of Bank Employees for the purpose of establishing mutually acceptable negotiating machinery.The resolution is addressed to the two banks concerned and does not call for action by my Department.
§ Mr. RankinIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the two banks concerned are refusing to recognise the Scottish secretary of the bank employees in matters which should be negotiated between the two bodies? Does not he agree that this is contrary to all accepted trade union practice, and will not he indicate his disapproval of the attitude of the two banks concerned?
§ Mr. MacleodNo, Sir. I have answered the hon. Member's Question, which calls for no action from me—and his supplementary question goes much wider. As I understand it, the position remains the same, both on behalf of the banks and the union, as it was when we tried to bring them together a year ago.
§ Mr. RobensWill the Minister again consult the chairmen of the five banks in 378 order to bring about some solution in relation to the National Union of Bank Employees, which holds a fairly large membership in those banks? Does not he agree that this is a matter where his personal intervention could be of very great value?
§ Mr. MacleodI am always ready to look at the position again. I do not want to go into the matter by way of question and answer, but I would point out that the supplementary question put only one side of the matter, and that there is another which is also strongly felt.