HC Deb 03 April 1911 vol 23 c1809
Mr. LANSBURY

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, in connection with employment at the London Docks, shipowners and others are constantly breaking the agreement made between employers and workmen after the great dock strike, relating to fixed hours for taking on men and for minimum periods; and whether the Port of London Authority will issue regulations insisting that the terms of that agreement must be adhered to, especially those relating to taking men on at fixed hours—namely, 7 and 8 a.m. and 1 and 6 p.m., with a minimum of four hours' employment?

Mr. HARRY LAWSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman responsible to this House for the Port of London Authority, and ought a question to be addressed to him in respect of it, and what control has he over the Port of London Authority?

Mr. BUXTON

When questions of this sort are put to me I communicate with the Port Authority in regard to the matter. I have no information which would lead me to confirm the view expressed in the first part of the question. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, the whole question of casual labour at the docks is at present engaging the attention of the Port of London authority.