HC Deb 09 June 1943 vol 390 cc707-8
36. Mr. Foster

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the labour director, national or regional, under the present scheme of operational control in the mining industry, has any powers to intervene in disputes between employers and workmen arising in the industry affecting production with the view of bringing about an early settlement?

Mr. T. Smith

The Labour Directors of the Ministry are willing at all times to give assistance where required in facilitating the settlement of disputes and have already on several occasions done so. They have, however, no power to make decisions in disputes affecting wages or working conditions for the settlement of which adequate machinery has already been established by the two sides of the industry.

Mr. Foster

While thanking my hon. Friend for his reply, in view of the many disputes which have arisen recently in the mining industry resulting in loss of output of coal, does my hon. Friend not think that some steps should be taken by-his Department to intervene in these disputes where there is a deadlock, with a view to bringing about an early settlement?

Mr. Smith

I think that generally the existing joint machinery in districts should handle disputes. Where disputes occur the regional controllers' labour directors make every effort to ascertain the facts and give whatever advice is necessary. We are, of course, always watching these disputes, and do keep in mind that it may be that where there is a deadlock we should take power to do certain things: I say again that it is far better to let the existing joint machinery settle these disputes if it can do so.

Mr. Foster

Am I to understand from the reply just given that these national or regional labour officers have no power at all to intervene in these disputes, and should they not intervene without being asked to intervene if there is a loss of output?

Mr. Smith

I did not say that they had no power to intervene. I said that they had no power to come to decisions with regard to disputes. In practice if a dispute does occur in any coalfield the regional controllers' labour director immediately gets in touch and does what he can.