6. Mr. Robertsonasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to difficulties which have arisen in regard to the position of cold storage undertakings under the Dock Labour Scheme for the Port of London; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BevinYes, Sir. I am aware of these difficulties, and I have appointed Sir John Forster to conduct an inquiry. His terms of reference are:
to inquire into the application of the Port of London Dock Labour Scheme to cold storage undertakings, and to make recommendations.
Mr. RobertsonIs the Minister aware that there are 20 stores concerned in this question, none of whose premises are dock-side premises, and that none of them have employed any dock labourers nor do they employ casual labourers? Does he feel that at this time a public inquiry such as he suggests is fair to many busy men who have to leave their work of national importance and waste their time?
§ Mr. BevinWhen a claim comes up requiring investigation, I think the best way of solving it is to have an impartial investigation to help me to arrive at a decision.