HC Deb 10 October 1945 vol 414 cc228-31
Mr. Logan (by Private Notice)

asked the Minister of Labour is he aware of the unrest caused on Merseyside by Dock Strike and what action is he taking to restore settlement.

The Minister of Labour (Mr. G. Isaacs)

Yes, Sir. I will, if I may, make a statement. As the House is no doubt aware, the strike began at Birkenhead over the prices for handling pit-props. This was the first cargo of its kind to be handled in the port since the early days of the war. In the course of discussions with the parties concerned which took place as soon as the danger of a deadlock appeared the employers accepted the Trade Union contention that immediate negotiations were justified and that in the meantime the men could properly be offered other work.

It was confidently anticipated that work would be resumed on Monday morning last, and that the negotiations would then start. Unfortunately the issues became confused over the week-end, and the men did not, in fact, start work. This morning work is stopped at the ports on the Mersey, the Tyne, the Tees, the Humber and the Royal and Tilbury Docks in London, with a partial stoppage at Millwall and India Docks.

I deplore this strike. It is wrong. The two sides of the industry are at present considering an important national claim made by the trade union and the local issues can also be dealt with by the joint machinery. Whatever the men's grievances, they cannot justify this strike. I am always anxious to do everything I can to assist towards a satisfactory settlement, but I will do nothing to impair the constitutional machinery of the industry. It has a long record of successful work on behalf of the men, and it is in the men's interests that its authority should be maintained. The men should go back to work at once and avoid unnecessary hardship to themselves, their families and the rest of the country. They can be assured that their grievances will be considered, in the meantime, as I have publicly announced, alternative military labour will be used as necessary to discharge foodships held up by the strike. The situation will be kept under constant review. This dispute has been aggravated and encouraged by the statement that has been given prominence in one dailypaper to the effect that I, personally, secured an increase of 8s. for the pit-prop workers over the head of the constitutional machinery. This is absolutely untrue. Such a statement is false and can only have been made with the object of deliberately misleading the men.

Mr. Logan

In view of the general spread of dissatisfaction on Merseyside, and the fact that no one can tell how the genesis of the strike has come about, is the Minister prepared to go down there with officials of the Union to address the men? If he would do so I am told that he would be able to restore normality in that district. Can we get such a statement from the Minister that he will be prepared to meet the men?

Mr. Isaacs

No, Sir, the men should trust the machinery of the organisation. They would, I am sure, resent a Government official stepping in between them and the Union. They should trust the Union. I am sure that the Union will see them through.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Is the Minister aware that his statement, namely, that this dispute should be decided by the constitutional machinery, will give great satisfaction, and will he give an assurance that in future in matters such as he has described to-day he will always rely on the use of constitutional machinery, which, I agree with him, has functioned so well in the past?

Mr. Isaacs

Yes, Sir. We shall make use of the constitutional machinery and shall refrain from making any effort to interpose in any way that would damage that constitution.

Mr. Sargood

Would the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the Ministry had any inquiry from the newspaper concerned before the report about the 8s. was published?

Mr. Isaacs

No, Sir. Not only were we without any inquiry at all, but it was republished on a second day in a more aggravated form, and thus made the situation worse.

Mr. Keeling

Would the Minister name the newspaper?

Mr. Isaacs

Certainly—the "Daily Mail."

Mr. Kirby

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what steps his Department is taking to bring the official viewpoint of his own Department and of the union to the leaders of the strike?

Mr. Isaacs

I do not think I can usefully add to what I have already said. All that is open to us is to induce these men through their own local conciliation officers to act in accordance with the advice not only of their national trade unions but of the local trade union officials.