HC Deb 18 February 1960 vol 617 cc1429-31
61. Mr. Farey-Jones

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the public concern over a recent ballot in the Electrical Trades Union and the failure of the Trades Union Congress to carry out a satisfactory investigation into the affairs of that union, if he will move for the appointment of a tribunal under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act to inquire into the Union's administration and into allegations of malpractices.

The Prime Minister

I am not convinced that action on the lines proposed by the hon. Member would necessarily be appropriate at this stage.

Mr. Farey-Jones

In view of the fact that this has now become a matter of national probity and straight dealing, will my right hon. Friend kindly review the Answer he gave to me when I asked a similar Question in 1957? Will he bear in mind that not only is there a continuing menace to the community from the administration of this union, but there is now—

Mr. Ellis Smith

Like the Freemasons.

Mr. Speaker

Order. These gay exchanges do not advance the progress of Questions.

Mr. Farey-Jones

There is now a direct threat to the vital principles of trade unionism? In view also of the fact that a spectacular and sordid manipulation of power by a minute group of people who owe their allegiance to a foreign Power is intolerable, will my right hon. Friend initiate legislation to end this difficulty?

The Prime Minister

I think it would be true to say that there was some anxiety about this situation among all those who realise the value and importance of the trade union movement in the industrial and national life of the country.

There are, I am told, provisions in the rules of this union for decisions of the Executive Council to be questioned by members, and, if there was sufficient backing for action of this kind, it could lead to an investigation. There is also, of course, the power of the Trades Union Congress under Rule 13 to make an investigation. I am aware that the Congress started an investigation and then broke it off, saying it did not intend to engage in any more "abortive discussions." I feel myself that at this stage these two possibilities are open. While I share the anxiety, which I think we all feel, that trade unions, like every other association, should be managed with the greatest possible probity, I do not think the particular method suggested is the right one to indulge in at the present time.

Mr. Robens

Is it not the case that the inference in the Question of the hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Farey-Jones) is incorrect, inasmuch as the General Council of the Trades Union Congress still has this matter under consideration and is due to report to the Congress in September? To that extent—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—the Trades Union Congress just happens to meet once a year, though that may not suit hon. Gentlemen opposite, and it has its rules which it will carry out. Therefore, his inference that the General Council is not carrying out its duty is quite wrong. Is it not the case that members of organisations set up under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act have recourse to the Registrar if they feel that the rules of the organisation are not being properly carried out?

The Prime Minister

I think I did say that I understood there are provisions in the rules—we can only work under the provisions in the rules of a particular society—for decisions of the Executive Council to be questioned by members. Therefore, I suppose there is a possibility, if there is sufficient backing for it, for action to be taken under this rule, in which case an investigation, as the right hon. Gentleman says, would follow. There is—I hope I did not misrepresent it—a second opportunity, namely, for the Trades Union Congress as a whole to act. I understood it had been in negotiation for some time, but on 25th November it told the union that it did not intend to engage in any further abortive discussions. I quite understand that that does not preclude it from making a report, but that is rather a long time ahead. I am sure that everyone hopes that measures may be taken by whatever is the proper tribunal, and I am sure that the trade union movement itself should be the first to try to clear up a situation about which no one is really very happy.