§ 20. Mr. Kinseyasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce legislation to ensure training of shop stewards.
§ Mr. BryanNo, Sir, but I agree that increased training for shop stewards is of great importance and I am awaiting the 656 report of the Commission on Industrial Relations on this subject.
§ Mr. KinseyI am pleased to hear that the hon. Gentleman has it in mind. Will he help when training is being undertaken locally? I draw to his attention the Brookly Technical College in Birmingham where the T.U.C. regional advisory committee has already run one of these courses and where another course is in being. It would be extremely useful if the Minister would give every assistance to such courses.
§ Mr. BryanIn studying this matter I have been impressed by the wide range of training available. While this is the responsibility of the trade unions and is regarded as such, the training boards have certain responsibility in this connection and many do their best to help.
§ Mr. AshtonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that if he introduces his Industrial Relations Bill, nobody will volunteer to be a shop steward? Is he aware that anybody who volunteers to be a shop steward will be virtually putting his head in a noose and that what will ensue will be chaos on the factory floor, because nobody will accept leadership?