§ 19. Lieut.-Colonel MAYHEWasked the Minister of Labour whether the Government propose to take any action towards conciliation in the strike of lightermen and bargemen in the port of London?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI would refer my Hon. Friend to the reply on this subject given to the hon. Member for Rotherhithe (Mrs. Runge) on Monday last. Besides causing hardship and loss, the continuance of the stoppage suspends the operation of the joint machinery by which questions affecting working conditions can be settled. The employers assure me that, when work has been resumed, full consideration will be given to the men's working conditions and I hope that, with that regard for constitutional procedure which they have always shown, a procedure which is of not less general value to themselves than to the employers, they will take the action necessary to enable friendly discussions to take the place of the present deadlock.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MAYHEWIs the Minister aware that large numbers of traders and shippers who are absolutely neutral in this dispute have had to pay many hundreds of pounds to have their goods brought to the quay instead of—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is giving information.