HC Deb 08 February 1932 vol 261 cc493-4
101. Mrs. RUNGE

asked the Minister of Labour if he can now make any statement as to the position of the lock-out of Thames watermen and lightermen; whether he is aware of the disparity in wages between this class of riverside employé and other less skilled workers equally engaged on the riverside and whether his Department proposes to take any action to secure the use of conciliation machinery to obtain better conditions of employment for the men concerned?

Mr. R. S. HUDSON

As my hon. Friend is aware, a further ballot of the men has resulted in a majority against resumption of work on the provisional terms of settlement initialled on 17th December by the secretary to the Watermen, Lightermen, Tugmen and Bargemen's Union and recommended to their members for acceptance by the executive of the union. My right hon. Friend has satisfied himself that, if work is resumed, all questions on working conditions could be fully discussed by the agreed conciliation machinery and that no action is necessary on his part to secure its use.

Mrs. RUNGE

Has the hon. Gentleman's attention been called as a result of the dispute to a movement to deprive the watermen and lightermen of their privileges, and will the Government refuse to support any such movement without full inquiries?

Mr. HUDSON

I do not think that at the present moment it will be helpful for me to make any further comment on this most unfortunate dispute.