HC Deb 15 May 1947 vol 437 cc1700-1
56. Captain John Crowder

asked the Minister of Labour if he is taking any steps to intervene in the unofficial strike of London Co-operative Society milk roundsmen, which is affecting supplies to 600,000 customers in the society's eastern section.

Mr. Ness Edwards

No, Sir. Although my Department is in close touch with the management and the trade unions, I must have regard to the fact that the terms and conditions of employment of the men have' been the subject of an award reached under the agreed procedure of the constitutional machinery which governs the relations in the Co-operative service between the management and the men. The men should reflect on the inconvenience and hardship being caused to the customers by this dislocation of the distribution of milk, and should leave it to their unions to deal with any legitimate complaint.

Captain Crowder

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what he proposes to do to relieve the hard-pressed housewife of the task of going to the depots to collect the milk, and will he also say what is the position regarding the threatened strike of those who bottle the milk at the depots?

Mr. Ness Edwards

We are in very close touch with developments, and the trade unions are taking energetic steps to end this unofficial stoppage. I do not want to say anything this afternoon which would prevent a settlement of this most irregular and irresponsible strike.

Mr. R. S. Hudson

Does the hon. Gentleman not think that this is becoming all too frequent, and that hardships are inflicted on ordinary men and women by these unofficial strikes? Does he not think some steps ought to be taken to deal with the general question?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I do not dissent from the views expressed. Active consultations are now taking place with the object of dealing with a situation which is causing a very great deal of social dislocation and hardship.

Mr. Nicholson

Am I to understand from the hon. Gentleman's reply that his Department considers it improper, or outside the field of its jurisdiction, to intervene in unofficial strikes, because that is what the answer seems to mean?

Mr. Ness Edwards

It is quite improper for any Department to intervene and deal with people who break the most admirable machinery set up under the authority of this House.