HC Deb 26 March 1942 vol 378 c2123
9. Mr. Purbrick

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will organise the workers under the National Dock Corporation, so that when they are unemployed they will do casual labour in other occupations and so relieve the lighterage, wharfage and stevedoring rates which have been increased under the Essential Work (Dock Labour) Order, 1941?

Mr. Bevin

Each dock labour scheme set up under the Essential Work (Dock Labour) Order, 1941, provides that a port transport worker when not employed in a port transport undertaking shall enter the Reserve Pool and be in the employment of the Corporation. When in the Pool he is required to accept any suitable employment including any work considered by the manager to be necessary for clearing the port area or enabling work to be carried out therein. He is also required to travel to any other port or place as required by the Corporation to perform suitable work.