29 AUGUST 1947, Page 18

WHAT THE UNIONS THINK

SIR,—To your pertinent criticisms of the T.U.C. agenda (in The Spectator of August 22nd) might be added some on the annual report ; for instance, that, during the year, nearly SO industries had been 'made to reduce work- ing hours. This statement, coupled with such actions as the recent penalising of union members for working overtime, or with the refusal of the Government to direct any of the 50,000 employees of the football pools into productive work, or to divert any of the L50 millions spent into useful channels, is hardly calculated to convince the U.S. that Britain is seriously trying to recover.—Yours obediently, T. H. MINSHALL. Reform Club, Pall Mall, S.W.I.