HC Deb 15 May 1952 vol 500 cc145-6W
83. Mr. Awbery

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in his attempt to bring about a settlement to the industrial dispute at D. C. Thomson's where prospective employees are requested to sign a declaration that they are not trade unionists; and what steps he is taking to prevent this dispute spreading to other industries.

Sir W. Monckton

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the House last Friday, announcing my decision to set up a court of inquiry under the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, to inquire into the causes and circumstances of this dispute. The court has now been appointed and is holding a preliminary meeting this afternoon

84. Mr. Lee

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that within the terms of the International Labour Organisation Convention 98 of July, 1949, to which this country is committed, workers shall enjoy adequate protection against acts of anti-union discrimination in respect of their employment, and such protection shall apply more particularly in respect of acts calculated to make the employment of a worker subject to the condition that he shall not join a union or shall relinquish trade union membership; and, since these conditions are contravened by the actions of D. C. Thomson Limited, what action he proposes to take against this firm in this respect.

Sir W. Monckton

Yes. I am aware of the terms of the Convention to which the hon. Member refers and of its ratification by the Government in June, 1950. As the hon. Member will be aware, I have now appointed a court of inquiry to inquire into the causes and circumstances of the dispute involving D. C. Thomson and Company Limited, and it would, therefore, be undesirable for me to make any further statement at this stage.