§ Mr. PENNEFATHER(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of further developments in the engineering and shipbuilding trade dispute, he can now make any statement on the subject, and also in regard to an inquiry under Part II of the Industrial Courts Act?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs regards the dispute in the engineering trades, there have been prolonged and continuous negotiations, and on Saturday last a joint 2248 recommendation was signed by my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, representing the employers, and my right hon. Friend the Member for Widnes, on behalf of the mediating committee. This recommendation was the subject of discussion throughout Monday. But no common agreement could be reached.
Yesterday, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I had several conversations with the representatives of the unions and of the employers, particularly in view of the fact that lock-out notices affecting very large numbers of men were pending, and later in the day the unions, other than the Amalgamated Engineering Union, intimated their acceptance of the joint recommendation, and made proposals to the employers with a view to direct negotiations.
These proposals were considered by the employers this morning, and they agreed to accept them and to enter into negotiations with these unions on that basis. It is proposed that the negotiations shall commence on 10th April, and that meantime the lock-out notices in the case of members of unions other than the Amalgamated Engineering Union shall be suspended.
As regards a court of inquiry, I confess I can see no justification for instituting a court in respect of a matter conjointly affecting four groups of unions, three groups having found it possible to resume negotiations with the employers, and the fourth not.
With regard to the shipbuilding wages dispute, the ballot has now been declared, showing a majority against acceptance of the reductions. I understand that the unions are meeting this afternoon for the purpose of considering the position.
§ Mr. W. THORNEHas the right hon. Gentleman in his possession the memorandum signed last Saturday, and, if so, would he be good enough to read it to the House?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThis is the memorandum of last Saturday to which I referred: