§ Mr. Higgsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that boys directed to the mines are being pressed to join trade unions as a condition of working in the pits; and whether such procedure is approved by him.
Major Lloyd GeorgeI am aware that it is the practice of the trade unions to urge new entrants to the mining industry to accept union membership. No compulsion on them to do so is, however, exercised either by my Ministry or by the Ministry of Labour and National Service, and in this connection I would refer the hon. Member to a statement made by the Earl of Munster in another place on 22nd February.