§ 31. Mr. Willie W. Hamiltonasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will meet representatives of the Scottish Trades Union Congress to consider matters of mutual concern and, in particular, the sequestration of trade union funds.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandThe Scottish Trades Union Congress has not requested a meeting with me to discuss such matters.
§ Mr. HamiltonAs the Government seem determined to break the trade union movement by law, and as that will inevitably lead to increasing conflict between trade unions and the law courts, with the consequent possible sequestration of trade union funds, will the hon. and learned Gentleman give a categorical assurance that no organisation in Scotland — bank or anyone else — will sequestrate trade union funds without the law?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandIt is not for banks or financial institutions to sequestrate without a court order.
§ Mr. HamiltonA Scottish order.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandWhat has been little understood, and might be better understood by those who are truly interested in the commercial development of Scottish financial institutions, is that some, if not all, of those financial institutions trying to operate in places other than in Scotland will, on occasions, be subject to the jurisdiction of more than one court. While I understand the hon. Gentleman's view on trade union matters, I would counsel caution—
§ Mr. HamiltonYou, too.
§ The Solicitor-General for Scotland—when he suggests that there are financial institutions in Scotland which should be subject only to Scottish jurisdiction. If they are to expand and be profitable, they will naturally have to operate in jurisdictions other than Scotland.