HL Deb 09 November 1960 vol 226 cc397-8

2.46 p.m.

THE EARL OF CRAVEN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have given serious consideration to Mr. Carron's article entitled "Strikes, the Unions and Society" published in the Sunday Times, and, if not, whether they intend to do so, because it shows up a deplorable and dangerous state of affairs.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (THE EARL OF DUNDEE)

My Lords, the Government are giving serious attention to the problem of strikes including those referred to in this article. I am glad to say that they are also being examined by the British Employers' Confederation and the Trades Union Congress.

THE EARL OF CRAVEN

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his courteous reply which is obviously very well thought out. Does his statement that the T.U.C. are giving attention to this matter mean that the T.U.C. are going into the problem, that they are investigating it and are going to give the Government a report on it?

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Minister of Labour stated at Scarborough not long ago that he hoped there might be consultation between the Employers' Confederation and the Trades Union Congress on this question and I am glad to say that such consultations are now being arranged.

LORD CITRINE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl a question: whether in considering this article, by one of the most level-headed trade union officials, the Government took particularly into account the wording occurring in the fourteenth paragraph: It is foolish to expect trade-union officials to persuade their members that social morality applies only to them. The State will need to exert more control on some people at high levels if those at other levels are to act with greater social consciousness.

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

My Lords, I quite agree with that and I think that in your Lordships' debate on Industrial Management at the end of last Session, two weeks ago, that was the general sense of your Lordships' House.