HC Deb 08 July 1943 vol 390 cc2226-7
6. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give details of the occasions during the present war when the Armed Forces have been called upon to intervene in industrial disputes; and who is responsible for deciding that they shall intervene?

Mr. Bevin

As my hon. Friend is aware, stoppages of work are in general illegal in war time. There has never at any time been any conflict between the Armed Forces and the workers, who are absolutely at one in the vigorous prosecution of the war. In a small number of cases the Armed Forces have helped to maintain essential services at the request of the Minister responsible for these services and with my concurrence.

Mr. Davies

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to give us a list of the cases in which this has occurred?

Mr. Bevin

I have not the figures available in the office at the moment, but I will write to the hon. Member.