Port of Kuching Consultative Committee

HC Deb 07 February 1961 vol 634 cc193-4

11. Mr. Oram

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which members of the Port of Kuching Consultative Committee represent the organised workers in the port.

12. Mr. Fernyhough

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the trades unions in Kuching, Sarawak, were asked to submit the name of one of their members to serve on the recently established Port of Kuching Consultative Committee.

Mr. H. Fraser

No representative organisations were consulted about appointments to the Port of Kuching Consultative Committee, which is an interim committee to make recommendations about the operation of the new port and the formation of a port authority. Labour interests are represented by a member of the Kuching Municipal Council. On occasions the Chairman of the Wharf Labourers Union is invited to attend meetings.

Mr. Oram

Is not it the case that this Committee is weighted by representatives of the employers and financial interests? Since one of its functions is to make recommendations about personnel establishments and conditions of employment in the port, is not it highly important that representatives of the trade unions should be on the Committee?

Mr. Fraser

The Committee has recommended that the constitution of the port authority should have an unofficial majority, and we are consulting the First Division Trade Union Congress on this matter of representation when the body is actually in being and in operation.

Mr. Fernyhough

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that trade unionists have a greater interest than any other body in the decisions which will be taken by this Consultative Committee? Does not he recognise that if they are shabbily treated now, while they are weak, they may act irresponsibly when they are strong? Would not it be wise to see that they are in at the beginning of these talks?

Mr. Fraser

I think that their interests are safeguarded. In point of fact, at the time of the appointment of the Committee there was no organised trade union system in Kuching. That matter has been remedied, and we shall make sure that they are properly represented on the port authority when it is established.