§ 48. Mr. George Wardasked the Minister of. Labour (1) whether he is aware that, on 24th January, 1947, Mr. Taylor, the driver of a lorry belonging to Messrs. Bailey and Turner (Haulage) Limited, Worcester, was refused permission to load up with tomatoes ex ss. "Banadereos," at Canarf Wharf, West India Dock, because he had no union card; and although Mr. Taylor produced a completed application for joining he was still refused his load; that the Transport and General Workers' Union office at Poplar would not allow Mr. Taylor to join the union at that office and the lorry was forced to return to Worcester empty; and what steps he is taking to avoid a similar occurrence in the future;
(2) whether he is aware that on 23rd January, 1947, Mr. Bennett, a driver of a lorry belonging to Messrs. Bailey and Turner (Haulage) Limited, of Worcester, was refused permission to load up with tomatoes ex ss. "Banadereos" at Canarf Wharf, West India Dock, because his union card was out of date; that although Mr. Bennett offered to pay off the arrears immediately he was still refused his load and the lorry was forced to return to Worcester empty; and what steps he is taking to avoid a similar occurrence in the future.
§ Mr. IsaacsI am aware of recent difficulties caused by the refusal of dockers employed at certain London wharves to load lorries manned by nonunion drivers. The action of the men was unofficial and I understand that the situation has now improved following appropriate action on the part of the union concerned.