§ Captain PLUGGEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many men in Chatham dockyard are represented by the trades unions which have representation in the various local Whitley councils?
Mr. LINDSAYAs it is not the policy of the Admiralty to inquire to which trade unions, if any, their employés belong, I regret that I am unable to say how many men are represented by the unions in question.
§ Captain PLUGGEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the departmental attitude that the Admiralty is not free to depart from the present system of membership of the various Whitley councils dealing with dockyard matters, he can state if this arrangement can be modified by giving notice to those concerned that the system of membership merits alteration?
Mr. LINDSAYI presume that the hon. and gallant Member wishes to modify the rule under which Admiralty workpeople are represented on the various Whitley industrial councils and committees solely by representatives of the trade unions having members employed in the industrial establishments of the Department. This rule is based on an agreement between His Majesty's Government and the trade unions for the application of the Whitley Report to Government industrial establishments, and the Board of Admiralty is not in a position to take any action inconsistent with this agreement.