37. Mr. Graham Whiteasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the circumstances under which Sir John Forster's inquiry into the Merseyside Dock Labour Scheme was set up?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerYes, Sir. When the Merseyside Dock Labour Scheme was first adopted, it was foreseen that, after a trial period, a general review of the working of so important an experiment would be required. A short time ago, the Government decided that this review should be made, and asked Sir John Forster to conduct it. Sir John Forster has been asked by the Minister of Labour and National Service and the Minister of War Transport to review on their behalf the conditions 1964 obtaining under the Merseyside Dock Labour Scheme, and to report to them. I would point out to my hon. Friend that these Terms of Reference are very general and that they imply no reflection on anyone who has helped to work the Scheme.
Mr. WhiteMay we assume that the decision to set up this inquiry was in no way influenced by any anonymous communications to the Press and, with reference to the last sentence of the reply, has the hon. Gentleman anything to say with regard to the services of Mr. Gibson Jarvie, the Director of the Port?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI am very glad to assure the hon. Member and the House that the setting-up of this inquiry was in no way due to any anonymous letter or other communication to the Press, and I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving me the opportunity of paying on behalf of the Government a very warm tribute to the work which Mr. Gibson Jarvie has done in Liverpool and to express to him the gratitude of the Government for the many services that he has rendered in keeping our supplies working in very great difficulties in a vitally important port.
§ Mr. LoganIs it now possible for Members of Parliament for Liverpool and Merseyside to receive in secret the report of this important inquiry which sat in camera?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI will certainly consult my Noble Friend on the suggestion.
§ Mr. GranvilleIs it the intention of the Department to ask Mr. Gibson Jarvie to reconsider his decision to resign?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI should prefer not to answer that question.
§ Mr. LoganIs my hon. Friend not aware that this respected officer, whose appointment was at first received adversely, has brought about a decent standard of conditions of the docks? Is it not worth while to reconsider the situation?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI hope that the tribute I have given will be taken as expressing the feeling of the Government.