Includes: Trades Union Congress papers on collective bargaining strategy, the national economic assessment and the industrial impact of the single European market; draft notes for NK; rough notes from the March meeting.

Briefing for meetings with the group and also with the General Secretaries, on a Conservative Green Paper on union reform, Conservative attacks on the unions, agreeing constitutional changes and avoiding any splits between the Trades Union Congress and Labour before Conference.

Video on the state of unemployment, health, schools, unions etc, with Labour’s alternative policies.

Report of the answers given by Liberal back-benchers to questions put by the editor of the Daily Chronicle about whether they would support measures for the payment of MPs and of official election expenses, for the reversal of the Osborne Judgement as advocated by the Trades Union Congress, and for the restoration to Trade Unions of most of the powers they exercised before the Osborne Judgement.

Letter from James Ramsay Macdonald (House of Commons) to WSC stating that the Labour Party will not vote for the second reading of the Trade Union Bill because of its provisions regarding union contributions to the political fund to support Labour MPs. Explains why a ballot among trade unions on the issue of labour representation would not at that juncture produce a fair result.

Letter from F Maddison (12 Acris Street, Wandsworth, London) to WSC proposing measures to protect the interests of trade union members who do not wish to contribute to the political fund for the support of Labour MPs. Returned with CHAR 2/52/26. Annotated by WSC that the letter be sent to the Attorney-General [Rufus Isaacs, later Lord Reading] for a suggested answer, 4 Jun.

Letter from Rufus Isaacs [later Lord Reading] [Attorney-General] to WSC suggesting responses to F Maddison's proposals to protect the interests of trade union members who do not wish to contribute to the political fund for the support of Labour MPs [see CHAR 2/52/25]. 2 sheets.

Letter from WSC (Home Office) to "Mr Manson" [F Maddison] responding to his proposals to protect the interests of trade union members who do not wish to contribute to the political fund for the support of Labour MPs. Typescript copy.

Letter from James Ramsay Macdonald (House of Commons) to WSC asking for a reply to his letter about aspects of the Trade Union Bill. Signed typescript. Annotated by "A J W": "will you reply to this, or see the Home Secretary about it?" Preceded by a piece of paper printed with the word "pressing".

Letter from H S Lindsay, Labour Party parliamentary assistant (House of Commons) to Edward Marsh asking for a reply to James Ramsay Macdonald's letter to WSC on the Trade Union Bill because a committee of the Labour Party needs the information. Signed typescript. Annotated by Marsh that an answer is promised that week.

Answers by Rufus Isaacs [later Lord Reading] (Attorney General) to the questions about the Trade Union Bill put by James Ramsay Macdonald in a letter to WSC [see CHAR 2/52/32-34]. Signed and annotated typescript. Includes note that the answers were embodied in a letter to Macdonald, 18 Jul.

Letter from Alfred Emmott [Chairman of Ways and Means] (30 Ennismore Gardens, [London]) on the extent to which criticism of judges' decisions and the composition of the Bench is relevant to debate on the Trade Union Bill.

Letter from ? W ?Farrens to WSC on trade union reform.

Resolution of Co-operative Societies and Trade Unions in Lancashire, affirming belief in advantages of free trade and opposition to preferential tariffs [printed].

Letter from WSC to Sir Walter Citrine [General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress and President of the International Federation of Trade Unions] on meetings between the Congress and unofficial representatives of the Conservative Party.

Letter from WSC to Sir Walter Citrine [General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress and President of the International Federation of Trade Unions] expressing pleasure that the Congress is willing to meet with the Liberal Party; hopes that the matter can be discussed with Sir Archibald Sinclair [Leader, Liberal Parliamentary Party, later 1st Lord Thurso].

Letter from WSC to Frederick Smith [General Secretary, Amalgamated Engineering Union] advising him that an incorrect statement appeared in the Daily Mirror that the Government had approached the National Council of Shop Stewards on matters of mismanagement in aircraft and armament factories, when in fact the National Council made the first approach to the Committee of the House of Commons. [Copy].

Letter from WSC to Sir Walter Citrine [General Secretary, Trades Union Council] asking him not to raise the matter of the Trades' Disputes Act during the war.

Notes by Lord Weir [earlier Sir William Weir] on the need for the Government to formulate a constructive industrial policy in order to reduce the influence of extremists over more moderate workers and trade unionists. Written at the request of Andrew Bonar Law and WSC. Appendices include two printed letters to the Times on the threatened coal strike and the attempts of trade unions to bring about the complete break-down of the current industrial system.

Cutting from The Times, leading article on the Trades Union Congress.

Cutting, account of House of Commons debate on the legal position of Trades Unions.

Cutting from the Manchester Courier, article on the Trades Disputes Bill, containing plea for peaceful picketing by G.D. Kelley, Secretary, Manchester and Salford Trades and Labour Council.