§ 51. Mr. Prescottasked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the recent strike of transport workers operating road passenger services in Lancashire; and if he has been asked to intervene.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe stoppage of work in certain provincial omnibus services arises from dissatisfaction among the men concerned with a recent unanimous award, relating to conditions of service, by an independent arbitration tribunal mutually appointed by the two sides of the industry. The trade unions have properly accepted this award and are pursuing in a constitutional manner certain issues that have been raised, a special meeting of the National Council for the Omnibus Industry having, been fixed for tomorrow at their request. Meanwhile, it would not be appropriate for me to intervene and I have not been requested to do so. The Government have, however, made it clear that the country cannot afford the dislocation caused by this stoppage, and I am glad to say that a number of the men have already returned to work; those who are still on strike should follow the recommendation of their unions and return to work forthwith.