§ 54. Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Labour, in view of the importance of good employer and employee relationships in all sections of industry, and of the continuing dissatisfaction of British bank staffs over the lack of national negotiation and national arbitration machinery within their own industry, if he will now arrange for further discussions between officials of his Department and the National Union of Bank Employees.
§ Mr. GreenThe underlying question is that of recognition of the National Union of Bank Employees by certain banks. My right hon. Friend has no power as Minister of Labour to compel the recognition of any particular union but as he told the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle) on 28th February he has been in touch with the Chairman of the Committee of London Clearing Bankers.
Our officers met the General Secretary of the National Union of Bank Employees as recently as 13th March.
(a) ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF INSURED PERSONS IN EMPLOYMENT Region End-May, 1951 End-May, 1961 Overall-rise London and South Eastern … 5,045,000 5,625,000 580,000 Midland … 2,005,000 2,220,000 215,000 Scotland … 2,076,000 2,096,000 20,000
(b) NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AND NUMBERS OF UNFILLED VACANCIES March, 1951 Region Unemployment Vacancies Men Women Boys Girls Total Men Women Boys Girls Total London and South Eastern 32,142 15,556 1,052 924 49,674 35,555 32,795 14,880 17,644 100,874 Midland 5,214 2,592 135 154 8,095 26,925 12,815 7,284 6,744 53,768 Scotland 40,619 16,095 1,162 946 58,822 11,230 6,186 4,691 6,426 28,533