§ 29. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many trade unions were dissolved in Singapore in 1958; how many have appealed against the dissolution; what were the reasons for dissolving the Malayan Seamen's National Union and the Harbour Board Workers' Union; and how are the rates of wages and conditions of employment of these men negotiated.
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Alan Lennox-Boyd)Two voluntarily and fifteen by withdrawal of certificates of registration. Of the latter, three have appealed. The Harbour Board Workers' Union was dissolved at its own request. The certificate of registration of the Malayan National Seamen's Union was withdrawn for continued contravention, after notice, of the provisions of the Trade Union Ordinance relating to the preparation of annual returns.
On the last part of the Question, an agreement applying to all seamen irrespective of union membership and negotiated in 1957 between four seamen's unions—of which the Malayan National Seamen's Union was then one—and the Singapore Maritime Employers' Federation is still in force. Harbour Board workers are catered for by a joint consultative and negotiating committee on which six trade unions are represented.
§ Mr. AwberyI am much obliged to the Secretary of State for that reply, but is he aware that, when a trade union secretary becomes a little pugnacious and puts up a good fight for his members, he is immediately dubbed a Communist and that is made an excuse for dissolving his union? Will he ensure that this is not made an excuse in the future.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe hon. Gentleman cannot have it both ways. He cannot both press for things to be made a matter of concern and responsibility 198 for local Ministers and then get angry at the use they make of their responsibility.