§ 18. Captain Pilkingtonasked the Minister of Labour if he will consider the desirability of legislation to make unlawful trade union practice in certain unions and certain areas of fining men who wish to work longer hours.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI am, I think, aware of the considerations that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind, but I do not consider that this is a matter for legislation.
§ Captain PilkingtonWhile agreeing with my right hon. Friend that legislation would probably not be a desirable thing in this case, may I ask him whether he agrees that it is most regrettable that at the time when greater productivity is so important for everybody the A.E.U. in Sheffield should fine people who are willing to work longer hours?
§ Mr. MacleodYes, I deplore many things, but I am sure that when members of an association, whether a trade union, political party or golf club, make rules and people do not like them, it is for the members themselves to change those rules. I do not think that we can do it from the House of Commons.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the Minister aware that this must be of purely academic interest to the hon. and gallant Member, since by no stretch of the imagination can it be thought that he will ever be brought before such a tribunal for working too long hours in the House?
§ Captain PilkingtonThat applies to us all and, with great respect to the hon. Lady, she should remember the example of the pot calling the kettle black.