HC Deb 07 December 1964 vol 703 cc1041-3
9. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the amalgamations and mergers taking place among industrial companies, he will introduce legislation to encourage the 180 unions affiliated to the Trades Union Congress to amalgamate so as to avoid the management of some factories having to negotiate with a dozen or more unions.

Mr. Gunter

There was such legislation in the last Parliament. The Trade Union (Amalgamations, etc.) Act, 1964, made it much easier for unions to amalgamate or transfer their engagements.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

Would the Minister not agree that, in view of the fact that in some modern European countries there are only about a dozen unions and

hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, who gave me a most unsatisfactory reply last Thursday on the question of tackling this problem?

Mr. Thornton

I read the reply and I thought it was quite a good one. I think the hon. Gentleman will be interested to see the figures, because his Question is about increases. When the hon. Gentleman sees those figures he will observe that, from the point of view of absolute figures and in percentage terms, the South-West is next to the top of the 10 regions.

Following is the statement:

we have 180, we are therefore beginning to look old-fashioned? Is the Minister also aware that there is a move among the shop stewards in the Ford Motor Company to amalgamate all workers under one umbrella? Could he not use his influence with the unions to reduce this great number.

Mr. Gunter

I agree with the desirability of the hon. Member's objective, but when he asks for legislation to encourage amalgamation I find it difficult to envisage such legislation. We shall move towards amalgamation with as much speed as is possible.

Mr. Godber

While welcoming the Minister's reference to the Trade Union (Amalgamations etc.) Act which was brought forward by a Member of this party in the last Parliament, may I ask if he will do all he can? I will not ask him to redouble his efforts because he seemed rather touchy about that earlier on; I suppose that is because of the bed of nails he lives on. May I ask him to do all he can? I am sure he realises the need to get more and more amalgamation. We introduced the Act to which he referred to assist the unions and I hope that they will respond accordingly.

Mr. Gunter

I was not touchy about the suggestion that I should redouble my efforts. I think it is a bit of a sauce, however, after being Minister for six weeks, to be told to redouble my efforts when hon. Members opposite were in office for years. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that, in spite of the trouble that I usually get into on the question of trade union reform, I shall continue to do all I can.

Mr. Howe

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that this matter is of particular importance not only in the motor industry, to which my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Gresham Cooke) has referred, but also to the shipbuilding industry where there are sometimes as many as two dozen unions in the same yard? In view of the importance of both these industries to the continuing prosperity of Merseyside, will the right hon. Gentleman use his best efforts in both these industries to hasten as much progress as can be achieved?

Mr. Gunter

I can only repeat that I will do all I can to influence the course of events. All the problems in industry and in negotiations do not arise from the multiplicity of trade unions. There is some multiplicity on the side of the employers as well.