§ (1) The registrar may at any time cancel the entry of an organisation in the provisional register, or the registration of an organisation under this Act as a trade union or as an employers' association,—
- (a) at the request of the organisation, evidenced in such manner as the registrar may direct, or
- (b) if the registrar is satisfied that the organisation has ceased to exist.
§ (2) Where the registrar exercises the power conferred by the preceding subsection, he shall cause notice of the cancellation to be published in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes.—[Mr. Dudley Smith.]
§ Brought up, and read the First and Second time.
§ Mr. Ronald King Murray (Edinburgh, Leith)I beg to move Amendment 347 (aaaaaa) to the proposed Clause, in line 4, leave out
'evidenced in such manner as the registrar may direct'.The views of both sides of the House have already been canvassed on this matter. The words which we propose to leave out may have been innocent enough in 1871 and could be introduced again. That is not our objection. They appear in Section 8 of the Trade Union Act Amendment Act, 1876, and it cannot be said that there is anything peculiarly sinister about them. But the situation concerning trade union law in 1876 was very different from what it is in 1971 and very different from what it will be when the Bill is enacted.First, in 1876, the Registrar did not have the powers which the Registrar will have under Clauses 61 and 64 to determine to some extent what rules a trade union will have and to lay down conditions of a kind which we do not yet know and which a trade union will have to fulfil before it is permitted to register under the Bill. So the Registrar will have discretionary powers of interference and will be able to lay down conditions for the entry of trade unions. Such discretionary powers did not exist in the 1876 Act.
Second, the position of trade unions has completely altered since 1876. Nobody here today would be able to make a fair presentation of the powers, functions and limitations of trade unions without taking into account, for example, the vital 1906 Act, which in many ways transformed the unions and made it possible for them to function in the industrial sphere in the way in which they have done. Therefore, a pre-1906 union was an entirely different creature from a post-1906 union, as has been emphasised in many of our debates.
It follows that for these two reasons the registrar's power in 1876 was an entirely different power from the power the Registrar will get under the Bill in 1971. Not only will the Registrar under this Bill have powers and discretion altogether different from those which his colleague had in 1876, but by the same token the trade unions are losing powers; because, in so far as the Registrar can determine rules and lay down conditions, 348 it necessarily follows that the union itself has not full sovereignty over its rules and must subject itself to some extent to conditions laid down by the Registrar. Therefore, the trade unions have lost some of their sovereignty—that is the point of the Bill as presented by the Government—and the Registrar has gained considerably in powers and discretion.
For these reasons alone, I am entitled to say that the words
evidenced in such manner as the registrar may directthough perfectly innocuous and innocent in 1871 and 1876 may have an entirely different connotation and effect today. It is my firm view that those words, which were innocent and innocuous then, cannot be regarded in the same light today.8.30 p.m.
Registration under the 1876 Act allowed for withdrawal by a union which was so registered. The provision, which is the same provision as that in new Clause 12(1)(a)—
evidenced in such manner as the registrar may directwas followed after the 1876 Act by directions by the Registrar, under that Act and under the 1871 Act, as to how a union which was registered might withdraw and cancel its certificate of registry. There was a statutory form.I have been fortunate enough to have been given a copy of this statutory form by an hon. Friend who did some research on the subject. I have here Form J, which is the appropriate statutory form under the Trade Union Acts, 1871 to 1964 providing for a request to withdraw or cancel a certificate of registry.
So, if we want to discover what is the practical effect of the words
evidenced in such manner as the registrar may directwe can do no better than look at Form J for the appropriate steps under the Trade Union Acts, 1871 to 1964. The form provides, first, for the name of the trade union and its registered number. It then is addressed to the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies or his Scottish counterpart.The form proceeds:
(1) The above-named Trade Union desires that its certificate of registry under the Trade 349 Union Acts may be withdrawn [or cancelled] on the following ground.Here the person entering the form and filling it up is invited toState reason for desiring withdrawal or cancelling of certificate of registry.That knocks a hole in the presentation by the Government spokesman, because this is an additional factor. It is not simply a question of a trade union reaching the view that it should cancel its registration and then intimating that decision in an appropriate manner to the Registrar. It is a question of the Registrar being given reason or grounds. This goes far beyond a mere registration of a decision which the union reaches within its own rules and within the four corners of its own meetings.The form proceeds:
on the following ground … and at a general meeting … it was resolved as follows:(1) That the Trustees be authorised to request the Chief [or Assistant Registrar] to withdraw [or cancel] the certificate of registry of this Trade Union".So again we go beyond the office bearers of the union to a general meeting and beyond the general meeting and the office bearers to the trustees. That goes to show just how far a direction of this kind may extend.Nobody on this side will accept the assurances which were given by the Government Front Bench that this is the innocuous provision that it appears to be.
However, I do not want to be taken as saying that there is something sinister or ulterior about that. I cannot say that. It is possible that this provision could be read by a Registrar in a perfectly reasonable way. I merely say that if the words
evidenced in such manner as the registrar may directremain they will allow the Registrar at least to follow the precedent of his predecessor under the 1871 to 1964 Acts. That is the best that can happen. At the worst, it would seem to me to be giving the Registrar an entirely free discretion, as far as I can see within the four corners of the Bill as amended by the new Clause, to give such directions as he may think fit to unions after the passing of the Act.I conceive that this could go very far. The Registrar might require not merely a ballot but a certain majority. He might 350 interfere in the most specific and direct way with the internal organisation of a union in this respect. That would not carry him into the sort of interference he can make under Clauses 61 and 64. This would be an additional interference. But it plainly would have this effect. It would make it more difficult for unions to contract out.
The Government have sought to present this provision in an attractive form. As one of my hon. Friends said, it has been done with honeyed words. However, behind those honeyed words the reality is that the provision will slow down, reduce or even take away the right of a trade union to get out of registration. Instead of a union contracting into registration, which is the way in which this was presented, this is a form of contracting out. What is more, it is a form of contracting out with obstacles. It is made difficult to contract out, and there is nothing to stop the Registrar increasing the obstacles at his discretion. For those reasons, we consider that the words should be deleted.
It may be that the Government will say that the words mean nothing sinister. Let us see the colour of their money. If all that they are after is that there should be a written request by an authorised person, why not make an Amendment to that effect instead of putting in words which seem to increase the power of the Registrar? I urge the Government to think again and, if they will not, I am afraid that I shall have to advise my hon. Friends to oppose the new Clause and to insist on our Amendment.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThe hon. and learned Gentleman invited the Government to allow the Opposition to see the colour of our money. I am proposing to enable right hon. and hon. Members opposite to do that.
The fears which the hon. and learned Gentleman has outlined and which are provoked by these words are, like so many of the fears and anxieties expressed from the benches opposite, without foundation and fanciful. When this matter was referred to in our previous debate, I explained that these words are intended to achieve no more than that the request to withdraw should be evidenced so that the Registrar may be satisfied that such a request has been made.
351 The hon. and learned Gentleman acknowledges that this is the form in which it has operated since 1876. He has drawn attention to Form J and suggested that this illustrates the sinister nature of the things which could be read into this provision. If one looks at Form J as it is printed in the Appendix to Citrine's Trade Union Law, the phrase which alarms the hon. and learned Gentleman,
… and at a general meeting …",has a note attached to it,If not at a general meeting, state in what manner the request has been determined upon.The form makes it plain that the organisation can determine the request. It merely has to say on the form that that is what has happened.The only intention of the provision in new Clause 12(1,a) is that the organisation should have requested cancellation. The hon. and learned Gentleman sought to suggest that the same form of words may have changed its meaning with the passage of time. However, it appears in the Building Societies Act, 1962, and in the Industrial and Provident Societies
§ Act, 1965, enacted by the last Government. No one sought to suggest anything sinister in those connotations.
§ There is nothing sinister at all. There is no scope for anything sinister. But, in order to assure the Opposition that this intention is indeed the Government's intention, I advise the House to accept the Amendment. We were challenged to show the colour of our money, and we show it. I do it seriously to assure the Opposition and the trade union movement that there are no sinister implications to be found lurking in this phraseology. The intention is to make it plain that, at the request of the organisation, it may have its registration cancelled. On that basis, and laying our money on the table, money which is as sound as a bell and as honest and well founded as money can be, I accept the hon. and learned Gentleman's challenge and invite the House to accept the Amendment.
§ Amendment to the proposed Clause agreed to.
§ Question put, That the Clause, as amended, be added to the Bill:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 267, Noes 234.
355| Division No. 274.] | AYES | [8.40 p.m. |
| Adley, Robert | Chataway, Rt. Hn. Christopher | Fookes, Miss Janet |
| Alison, Michael (Barkston Ash) | Chichester-Clark, R. | Fortescue, Tim |
| Allason, James (Hemel Hempstead) | Churchill, W. S. | Foster, Sir John |
| Amery, Rt. Hn. Julian | Clark, William (Surrey, E.) | Fowler, Norman |
| Archer, Jeffrey (Louth) | Clarke, Kenneth (Rushcliffe) | Fox, Marcus |
| Astor, John | CIegg, Walter | Fraser, Rt. Hn. Hugh (St'fford & Stone) |
| Atkins, Humphrey | Cockeram, Eric | Fry, Peter |
| Awdry, Daniel | Cooke, Robert | Calbraith, Hn. T. G. |
| Baker, Kenneth (St. Marylebone) | Coombs, Derek | Gardner, Edward |
| Baker, W. H. K. (Banff) | Cooper, A. E. | Gibson-Watt, David |
| Batsford, Brian | Corfield, Rt. Hn. Frederick | Gilmour, Sir John (Fife, E.) |
| Bell, Ronald | Cormack, Patrick | Glyn, Dr. Alan |
| Bennett, Sir Frederic (Torquay) | Costain, A. P. | Godber, Rt. Hn. J. B. |
| Bennett, Dr. Reginald (Gosport) | Critchley, Julian | Goodhart, Philip |
| Benyon, W. | Crouch, David | Gorst, John |
| Berry, Hn. Anthony | Crowder, F. P. | Gower, Raymond |
| Biffen, John | Curran, Charles | Gray, Hamish |
| Biggs-Davison, John | d'Avigdor-Goldsmid, JamesMaJ.-Gen. | Green, Alan |
| Blaker, Peter | Dean, Paul | Grieve, Percy |
| Boardman, Tom (Leicester, S.W.) | Dixon, Piers | Griffiths, Eldon (Bury St. Edmunds) |
| Body, Richard | Dodds-Parker, Douglas | Grylls, Michael |
| Boscawen, Robert | Drayson, G. B. | Gummer, Selwyn |
| Bossom, Sir Clive | du Cann, Rt. Hn. Edward | Halt, John (Wycombe) |
| Braine, Bernard | Dykes, Hugh | Hall-Davis, A. C. F. |
| Bray, Ronald | Eden, Sir John | Hamilton, Michael (Salisbury) |
| Brewis, John | Edwards, Nicholas (Pembroke) | Harmam, John (Exeter) |
| Brown, Sir Edward (Bath) | Elliot, Capt. Walter (Carshalton) | Harrison, Brian (Maldon) |
| Bruce-Gardyne, J. | Elliott, R. W. (N'c'tle-upon-Tyne. N.) | Harrison, Col. Sir Harwood (Eye) |
| Bryan, Paul | Emery, Pew | Haselhurst, Alan |
| Buchanan-Smith, Alick(Angus,N&M) | Eyre, Reginald | Hastings, Stephen |
| Buck, Antony | Farr, John | Havers, Michael |
| Bullus, Sir Eric | Fell, Anthony | Hawkins, Paul |
| Burden, F. A. | Fenner, Mrs. Peggy | Hayhoe, Barney |
| Butler, Adam (Bosworth) | Fidler, Michael | Heath, Rt. Hn. Edward |
| Carr, Rt. Hn. Robert | Finsberg, Geoffrey (Hampstead) | Hicks, Robert |
| Cary, Sir Robert | Fisher, Nigel (Surbiton) | Higgins, Terence L. |
| Chapman, Sydney | Fletcher-Cooke, Charles | Hiley, Joseph |
| Hill, John E. B. (Norfolk, S.) | Mitchell, David (Basingstoke) | Sinclair, Sir George |
| Hill, James (Southampton, Test) | Moate, Roger | Sheet, T. H. H. |
| Holland, Philip | Molyneaux, James | Smith, Dudley (W'wick & L'mington) |
| Holt, Miss Mary | Money, Ernie | Soref, Harold |
| Hornby, Richard | Monks, Mrs. Connie | Speed, Keith |
| Homsby-Smith, Rt. Hn. Dame Patricia | Monro, Hector | Spence, John |
| Howe, Hn. Sir Geoffrey (Reigate) | Montgomery, Fergus | Sproat, Iain |
| Howell, David (Guildford) | More, Jasper | Stainton, Keith |
| Howell, Ralph (Norfolk, N.) | Morgan, Geraint (Denbigh) | Stanbrook, Ivor |
| Hunt, John | Morgan-Giles, Rear-Adm. | Stewart-Smith, D. G. (Belper) |
| Hutchison, Michael Clark | Morrison, Charles (Devizes) | Stodart, Anthony (Edinburgh, W.) |
| Iremonger, T. L. | Mudd, David | Stoddart-Scott, Col. Sir M. |
| James, David | Murton, Oscar | Stokes, John |
| Jenkin, Patrick (Woodford) | Nabarro, Sir Gerald | Stuttaford, Dr. Tom |
| Jessel, Toby | Nicholls, Sir Harmar | Sutcliffe, John |
| Johnson Smith, G. (E. Grinstead) | Normanton, Tom | Tapsell, Peter |
| Jones, Arthur (Northants, S.) | Nott, John | Taylor, Sir Charles (Eastbourne) |
| Joplin, Michael | Oppenheim, Mrs. Sally | Taylor, Edward M. (G'gow, Cathcart) |
| Joseph, Rt. Hn. Sir Keith | Orr, Capt, L. P. S. | Taylor, Frank (Moss Side) |
| Owen, Idris (Stockport, N.) | Taylor, Robert (Croydon, N.W.) | |
| Kaberry, Sir Donald | Parkinson, Cecil (Enfield, W.) | Tebbit, Norman |
| Kellett, Mrs. Elaine | Percival, Ian | Thatcher, Rt. Hn. Mrs. Margaret |
| Kimball, Marcus | Peyton, Rt. Hn. John | Thomas, John Stradling (Monmouth) |
| King, Evelyn (Dorset, S.) | Pike, Miss Mervyn | Thompson, Sir Richard (Croydon, S.) |
| King, Tom (Bridgwater) | Pink, R. Bonner | Tilney, John |
| Kinsey, J. R. | Pounder, Rafton | Trafford, Dr. Anthony |
| Kirk, Peter | Powell, Rt. Hn. J. Enoch | Trew, Peter |
| Kitson, Timothy | Prior, Rt. Hn. J. M. L. | Tugendhat, Chirstopher |
| Knight, Mrs. Jill | Proudfoot, Wilfred | Turton, Rt. Hn. R. H. |
| Knox, David | Pym, Rt. Hn. Francis | van Straubenzee, W. R. |
| Lambton, Antony | Quennell, Miss J. M. | Vickers, Dame Joan |
| Lane, David | Raison, Timothy | Waddington, David |
| Legge-Bourke, Sir Harry | Ramsden, Rt. Hn. James | Walder, David (Clitheroe) |
| Lewis, Kenneth (Rutland) | Rawlinson, Rt. Hn. Sir Peter | Walker, Rt. Hn. Peter (Worcester) |
| Lloyd, Ian (P'tsmouth, Langstone) | Reed, Laurance (Bolton, E.) | Walters, Dennis |
| Longden, Gilbert | Rees, Peter (Dover) | Ward, Dame Irene |
| Loveridge, John | Rees-Davies, W. R. | Warren, Kenneth |
| McAdden, Sir Stephen | Renton, Rt. Hn. Sir David | Wells, John (Maidstone) |
| McLaren, Martin | Rhys Williams, Sir Brandon | White, Roger (Cravesend) |
| Mclean, Sir Fitzroy | Ridley, Hn. Nicholas | Whitelaw, Rt. Hn. William |
| McNair-Wilson, Patrick (NewForest) | Ridsdale, Julian | Wiggin, Jerry |
| Madel, David | Rippon, Rt. Hn. Geoffrey | Wilkinson, John |
| Maginnis, John E. | Roberts, Michael (Cardiff, N.) | Wolrige-Gordon, Patrick |
| Marples, Rt. Hn. Emest | Roberts, Wyn (Conway) | Wood, Rt. Hn. Richard |
| Marten, Neil | Rodgers, Sir John (Sevenoaks) | Woodhouee, Hn, Christopher |
| Mather, Carol | Rossi, Hugh (Hornsey) | Woodnutt, Mark |
| Maude, Angus | Russell, Sir Ronald | Worsley, Marcus |
| Mawby, Ray | St. John-stevas, Norman | Wylle, Rt. Hn. N. R. |
| Maxwell-Hyslop, R. J. | Scott, Nicholas | Younger, Hon. George |
| Meyer, Sir Anthony | Scott-Hopkins, James | |
| Mills, Peter (Torrington) | Sharples, Richard | TELLERS FOR THE AYES: |
| Mills, Stratton (Belfast, N.) | Shaw, Michael (Sc'b'gh & Whitby) | Mr. Bernard Weatherill and |
| Miscampbell, Norman | Shelton, William (Clapham) | Mr. Victor Goodhew. |
| Mitchell, Lt.-Col. C. (Aberdeenshire, W) | Simeons, Charles | |
| NOES | ||
| Allaun, Frank (Salford, E.) | Carmichael, Neil | Douglas, Dick (Stirlingshire, E.) |
| Allen, Scholefield | Carter, Ray (Birmingh'm, Northfield) | Douglas-Mann, Bruce |
| Archer, Peter (Rowley Regis) | Carter-Jones, Lewis (Eccles) | Driberg, Tom |
| Ashley, Jack | Castle, Rt. Hn. Barbara | Duffy, A. E. P. |
| Ashton, Joe | Clark, David (Colne Valley) | Dunnett, Jack |
| Atkinson, Norman | Cocks, Michael (Bristol, S.) | Eadie, Alex |
| Bagier, Cordon A. T. | Cohen, Stanley | Edwards, William (Merioneth) |
| Barnes, Michael | Coleman, Donald | |
| Barnett, Joel | Conlan, Bernard | Ellis, Tom |
| Beaney, Alan | Corbet, Mrs. Freda | English, Michael |
| Benn, Rt. Hn. Anthony Wedgwood | Cox, Thomas (Wandsworth, C.) | Evans, Fred |
| Bennett, James (Glasgow, Bridgeton) | Crawshaw, Richard | Fernyhough, Rt. Hn. E. |
| Bidwell, Sydney | Cronin, John | Fisher, Mrs. Doris (B'ham, Ladywood) |
| Bishop, E. S. | Crosland, Rt. Hn. Anthony | Fletcher, Raymond (Ilkeston) |
| Blenkinsop, Arthur | Cunningham, G. (Islington, S.W.) | Fletcher, Ted (Darlington) |
| Boardman, H. (Leigh) | Dalyell, Tam | Foot, Michael |
| Booth, Albert | Darling, Rt. Hn. George | Ford, Ben |
| Boyden, James (Bishop Auckland) | Davidson, Arthur | Forrester, John |
| Brown, Bob (N'c'tle-upon-Tyne, W.) | Davies, Denzil (Llanelly) | Fraser, John (Norwood) |
| Brown, Hugh D. (G'gow, Provan) | Davies, C. Elfed (Rhondda, E.) | Garrett, W. E. |
| Brown, Ronald (Shoreditch & F'bury) | Davies, Ifor (Gower) | Gilbert, Dr. John |
| Buchan, Norman | Davies, S. O. (Merthyr Tydvil) | Ginsburg, David |
| Buchanan, Richard (C'gow, Sp'burn) | Davis, Clinton (Hackney, C.) | Golding, John |
| Butler, Mrs. Joyce (Wood Green) | Deakins, Eric | Gordon Walker, Rt. Hn. P. C. |
| Callaghan, Rt. Hn. James | Dempsey, James | Gourlay, Harry |
| Campbell, I. (Dunbartonshire, W.) | Doig, Peter | Grant, John D. (Islington, E.) |
| Cant, R. B. | Dormand, J. D. | Griffiths, Eddie (Brightside) |
| Griffiths, Will (Exchange) | Mabon, Dr. J. Dickson | Rhodes, Geoffrey |
| Hamilton, James (Bothwell) | McBride, Neil | Richard, Ivor |
| Hamilton, William (Fife, W.) | McCartney, Hugh | Roberts, Albert (Normanton) |
| Hamling, William | McElhone, Frank | Roberts, Rt. Hn. Goronwy (Caernarvon) |
| Hardy, Peter | McGuire, Michael | Robertson, John (Paisley) |
| Harrison, Walter (Wakefield) | Mackenzie, Gregor | Roderick, Caerwyn E.(Br'c'n&R'dnor) |
| Hart, Rt. Hn. Judith | Mackie, John | Roper, John |
| Hattersley, Roy | Mackintosh, John P. | Ross, Rt. Hn. William (Kilmarnock) |
| Heffer, Eric S. | Maclennan, Robert | Sheldon, Robert (Ashton-under-Lyne) |
| Hooson, Emlyn | MacPherson, Malcolm | Shore, Rt. Hn. Peter (Stepney) |
| Horam, John | Mahon, Simon (Bootle) | Silkin, Rt. Hn. John (Deptford) |
| Houghton, Rt. Hn. Douglas | Mallalieu, J. P. W. (Huddersfield, E.) | Sillars, James |
| Howell, Denis (Small Health) | Marks, Kenneth | Silverman, Julius |
| Huckfield, Leslie | Marquand, David | Skinner, Dennis |
| Hughes, Rt. Hn. Cledwyn (Anglesey) | Mason, Rt. Hn. Roy | Small, William |
| Hughes, Mark (Durham) | Meacher, Michael | Smith, John (Lanarkshire, N.) |
| Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen, N.) | Mellish, Rt. Hn. Robert | Spearing, Nigel |
| Hughes, Roy (Newport) | Mendelson, John | Spriggs, Leslie |
| Hunter, Adam | Mikardo, Ian | Stallard, A. W. |
| lrvine,Rt.Hn.SirArrhur(Edge Hill) | Millan, Bruce | Steel, David |
| Janner, Greville | Miller, Dr. M. S. | Stewart, Donald (Western Isles) |
| Jeger, Mrs. Lena (H'b'n&St.P'cras,S.) | Milne, Edward (Blyth) | Stoddart, David (Swindon) |
| Jenkins, Hugh (Putney) | Morgan, Elystan (Cardiganshire) | Strang, Gavin |
| John, Brynmor | Morris, Alfred (Wythenshawe) | Summerskill, Hn. Dr. Shirley |
| Johnson, James (K'ston-on-Hull, W.) | Morris, Charles R. (Openshaw) | Swain, Thomas |
| Morris, Rt. Hn. John (Aberavon) | Taverne, Dick | |
| Johnson, Walter (Derby, S.) | Moyle, Roland | Thomas, Rt. Hn. George (Cardiff. W.) |
| Johnston, Russell (Inverness) | Mulley, Rt. Hn. Frederick | Thomas, Jeffrey (Abertillery) |
| Jones, Barry (Flint, E.) | Murray, Ronald King | |
| Jones, Dan, Burnley) | Ogden, Eric | Tinn, James |
| Jones, Rt.Hn.Elwyn(W. Ham, S.) | O'Halloran, Michael | Tomney, Frank |
| Jones, Gwynoro (Carmarthen) | O'Malley, Brian | Torney, Tom |
| Jones, T. Alec (Rhondda, W.) | Oram, Bert | Tuck, Raphael |
| Judd, Frank | Orbach, Maurice | Urwin, T. W. |
| Kaufman, Gerald | Orme, Stanley | Wainwright, Edwin |
| Kelley, Richard | Oswald, Thomas | Walker, Harold (Doncaster) |
| Kerr, Russell | Owen, Dr. David (Plymouth, Sutton) | Wallace, George |
| Kinnock, Neil | Palmer, Arthur | Watkins, David |
| Lambie, David | Pardoe, John | Weitzman, David |
| Lamond, James | Parker, John (Dagenham) | Wellbeloved, James |
| Latham, Arthur | Parry, Robert (Liverpool, Exchange) | Wells, William (Walsall, N.) |
| Lawson, George | Pavitt, Laurie | White, James (Glasgow, Pollok) |
| Leadbitter, Ted | Peart, Rt. Hn, Fred | Whitehead, Phillip |
| Lee, Rt. Hn. Frederick | Pendry, Tom | Whitlock, William |
| Leonard, Dick | Pentland, Norman | Willey, Rt. Hn. Frederick |
| Lester, Miss Joan | Prentice, Rt. Hn. Reg. | Williams, Alan (Swansea, W.) |
| Lewis, Arthur (W. Ham, N.) | Prescott, John | Williams, W. T. (Warrington) |
| Lewis, Kenneth (Carlisle) | Price, J. T. (Westhoughton) | Wilson, Alexander (Hamilton) |
| Lipton, Marcus | Price, William (Rugby) | Wilson, Rt. Hn. Harold (Huyton) |
| Lomas, Kenneth | Probert, Arthur | Wilson, William (Coventry, S.) |
| Loughlin, Charles | Rankin, John | TELLERS FOR THE NOES: |
| Lyon, Alexander W. (York) | Reed, D. (Sedgefield) | Mr. J. D. Concannon and |
| Lyons, Edward (Bradford, E.) | Rees, Merlyn (Leeds, S.) | Mr. Joseph Harper. |