asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government, after consultation with the building trade unions, to seek to develop closer amalgamation amongst them; and if he will make a statement.

This is primarily for the unions themselves, but the Government welcome the action taken by the Trades Union Congress and the building unions to promote amalgamations.

Will my right hon. Friend pursue this matter a little further and endeavour to get the unions to agree to an industrialised building craftsman, which would be a new type of craftsman in the building industry and which would be a great boon for the type of craftsmen with whom we are concerned.

I am always trying to persuade the unions to do something or other, but really this is a matter primarily for the unions themselves. As my hon. Friend knows, we have discussed this over and over again at headquarter level, and I feel that it would be far better if it were left to the industry.