HC Deb 09 December 1920 vol 135 cc2426-8
102. Mr. TILLETT

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that efforts were made to settle through the Joint Industrial Council a dispute between the employers in the road transport industry and the National Transport Workers' Federation; that the employers refused to submit any proposals to the Council, and that one of the parties to the Council was the Motor Transport Employers' Federation; whether the employers insisted upon local negotiations, and that at present in consequence of the failure of such negotiations there is a strike at Bristol; is he aware that the Motor Transport Employers' Federation has issued an instruction to the employers at Bristol that they are not under any conditions to yield to the men's demands; and that the demands of the men if granted would produce a wage of only 73s. per week to car-men and 85s. per week to motormen in the circumstances; and is he prepared to order a public inquiry into the whole question?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Sir Montague Barlow)

I am aware of this dispute both in its national and local aspects. I have no knowledge of the instruction referred to. Settlements have been reached with a number of employés in Bristol, and the Ministry's local conciliation office is doing his best to compose the remaining differences. I do not think that the case is one which calls for an inquiry as suggested by my hon. Friend, but I need not say that the Department will continue its efforts.

Mr. SHORT

Has the Minister taken any action since yesterday in connection wth the tramway dispute?

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT.
Particulars of the Provincial Offices of the Ministry and of the staff employed at each are as follows:-
Office. Address. Staff employed. Approximate annual cost of staff, including travelling and incidental expenses.
£
Irish Branch Oriel House, Westland Row, Dublin 41 16,138
Edinburgh (Roads Office) 5, Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh 5 2,218
Area Transport Commissioners:
London, Eastern and Home Counties. 12a, Charles Street, Haymarket, S.W. 6 3,622
Midlands 19, Guildhall Buildings, Navigation Street, Birmingham. 3 1,905
Northern Quebec Annexe 2, Park Place, Infirmary Street, Leeds. 2 1,679
Wales and Monmouth 18, Dumfries Place, Cardiff 3 1,849
Southern and South Western 23, Royal York Crescent, Clifton, Bristol. 3 1,945
Scotland 5, Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh 3 1,717
Sub-Inspecting Officer of Rail ways, Glasgow. 250, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow 1 1,000
Total - 32,073

In addition there are officers of the Joint Roads Committee transferred from the War Office at Salisbury, Halton Park

Sir M. BARLOW

I think I must have notice. I do not think I can answer so recently as from yesterday without notice.