§ 14. Sir ROBERT THOMASasked the Minister of Labour whether he can inform the House to what extent the recommendations of the Docks Decasualisation Committee of 1924 have been put into practice; and what measure of success has been thereby achieved in settling the problem of casual labour at the docks?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)Joint registration schemes for the decasualisation of dock labour have been set up at all the principal ports except Glasgow, and at the great majority of the smaller ports. Most of these schemes which are administered by the industry with assistance from my Department provide for periodical reviews of the register, as recommended by the Decasualisation Committee so as to include only men who work regularly at the docks. The measure of success has naturally varied at different ports, but I am satisfied that on the whole substantial progress has been made considering the difficulties created by the general unemployment position.
§ Colonel DAYIs it intended to set up a Committee in Glasgow?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe position in Glasgow is that both the trade union leaders and the employers desire such a Committee to be set up, but up to the present they have not entirely succeeded in satisfying the rank and file. However, we hope that progress will be made.
§ Colonel DAYIs the hon. Gentleman taking steps to see if some satisfactory arrangement cannot be come to there?
§ Mr. BETTERTONYes, Sir, we are doing our best. Anything we can do to bring it about, we shall certainly do.