HC Deb 22 December 1925 vol 189 cc2158-60
4. Mr. AMMON

asked the President of the Board of Trade what companies have permitted their ships to proceed to sea without wireless operators; and how many of such ships are passenger ships?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Since 26th November, about 500 ships have sailed without operators, and of these 47 were passenger ships. I do not think any useful purpose would be served by publishing a list of the ships or their owners.

Mr. AMMON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if negotiations are proceeding?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I am afraid that is a question which the right hon. Gentleman must address to the Minister of Labour, who has been in touch with the situation throughout.

Mr. AMMON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any progress was made yesterday?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I am very sorry, but I have not seen the Minister of Labour to-day. My right hon. Friend will probably be able to see him during the course of this sitting.

Mr. LANSBURY

Who will be responsible for the death of any passenger that may take place through the lack of wireless owing to the action of the Government in this matter?

5. Mr. AMMON

asked the President of the Board of Trade under what authority and conditions has he given permission for ships to proceed to sea without operators during the present dispute?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

As has been stated in previous replies to questions on this matter, the Statute under which ships are required to be fitted with wireless telegraphy apparatus and to carry wireless operators is the Merchant Shipping (Wireless Telegraphy) Act, 1919. Under that Act, if there be a failure to comply with the law, the owner or master of a ship may be prosecuted, and the ship may be detained.

The Board of Trade, after careful consideration, came to the conclusion that where compliance with the law is rendered impossible by operators declining to sail owing to a strike, and by this alone, it would be unreasonable to prosecute masters or owners, and they did not think that they would be justified in taking the very serious step of detaining the ships. In so doing the Board followed the precedent of the action taken in the two previous strikes.

Mr. AMMON

Is not the action of the Ministry taking part on one side of the strike against the other side?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Certainly not; it is maintaining complete impartiality. [HON. MEMBERS: "NO!"] Supposing the Board of Trade said that no ship was to sail without a wireless operator, it would obviously be compelling every shipowner to accept the terms of the men, and that, whatever be the merits of the dispute, would unquestionably be taking sides in the dispute.

Mr. AMMON

Is it not a fact that some of the ships are sailing with operators, and paying the terms demanded?

Vice-Admiral Sir REGINALD HALL

Have there been any representations from passengers who are reluctant to take passages in passenger ships without operators?

Mr. THURTLE

Can the right hon. Gentleman differentiate between complete and partial impartiality?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Yes, I can, and that is why my impartiality in this matter is complete. In reply to the supplementary question by my hon. and gallant Friend, I have not received any representation from passengers who are reluctant to take passages.

Mr. KENNEDY

Is not this dispute in effect a lock-out by the shipowners, to enable them to avoid the expense of carrying wireless operators?

Mr. AMMON

Is it not a fact that a large number of companies are carrying operators on the terms demanded by the strikers?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I understand that some companies are paying the higher rates of wages, but obviously to answer the question put in the previous supplementary question is exactly the kind of question which I ought not to be asked to answer.

Mr. LANSBURY

Why not?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Because I wish to be impartial.

20. Mr. AMMON

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the. facts of the dispute between the wireless companies and the wireless operators; and, in view of the tact that the position has now developed so as to constitute a public danger, will he order an inquiry?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland)

At a meeting at the Ministry of Labour yesterday arrangements were made for a conference of the two sides to take place this afternoon.