I move the amendment on the Order Paper:—
In page 2, before Section 3 to insert a new section as follows:—
3. Section 9 of the Principal Act is hereby amended by the insertion therein after sub-section (2) of the following sub-section:—
(2A) A prosecution for an offence under any section of this Act committed by an employer of a worker in relation to such worker may be brought at the suit of such worker or of any official of a trade union of which such worker is a member.
During the course of the discussion in Committee it was suggested from the Labour Benches that the Principal Act might be amended to enable workers or their trade unions to prosecute employers for offences under that Act. I have examined the matter, and, while it is not clear that they have not got that right at the moment, I agree it is desirable that the doubt should be removed, and the purpose of the amendment is to enable workers or trade unions to prosecute an employer for an offence committed in relation to the worker. There are, of course, other offences under the Act, such as refusal to display the necessary abstract of the regulations, or refusal to admit a departmental inspector or to give him the information or facilities he may require. It is only in relation to offences relating to workers that the right of prosecution of an employer will be given to the worker himself, or to a trade union acting in his behalf.