13. Mr. Leeasked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied with the arrangements for negotiation, conciliation and arbitration obtaining in the trades, services and professions staffed by white collar unions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HareThe arrangements vary so much in different trades, services and professions that it is not possible to express a general opinion. If the hon. Member is concerned about the arrangements in any particular sector, perhaps he would inform me. I would be pleased to consider any points he cares to raise.
Mr. LeeWhile thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether he does not agree that we are now seeing a new phenomenon in the rise of white collar unions and an improvement in the industries and the professions in which they are engaged? We now see in banking, insurance and professions of that type—and now in the teaching profession—that these unions are not content to have to go on with the old struggle which the manual unions had 100 years ago. Would it not be far better if the Ministry, with the N.J.C., considered how to short-circuit this to eliminate any dangers there may be of industrial unrest among these organisations?
§ Mr. HareThe hon. Member will remember that we had a very useful debate on this subject on 17th March. I have not much to add to what my hon. Friend said then, except to say that I have had some discussions with interested parties.