HC Deb 22 June 1948 vol 452 cc1138-40
Mr. Eden

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he has any further statement to make about the dock strike.

The Prime Minister

I am informed that at the meeting called by the Trade Union this morning, it was decided by an overwhelming majority that work should be resumed tomorrow morning The trade union, I understand, will take steps to consult its members in London and other ports, and will later call a national delegate conference to consider the possible modification of the disciplinary clauses of the scheme based on the experience gained of the scheme's working since its inception. In the circumstances, the Government look to the men to recognise their obligation to resume work tomorrow morning. Any continuation of the strike would have serious effects on the national economy, and it will be essential that the goods accumulated at the docks should be handled with the utmost expedition. We cannot afford any further check to our export drive, and all perishable foodstuffs must be shifted without delay. I hope in these circumstances that the House will agree to await the result of the decision.

Mr. Eden

In connection with the remarks which the Prime Minister made about perishable foodstuffs, can we take it that a course of action has now been prepared by the Government to make quite certain that these perishable foodstuffs are not lost, whatever the circumstances tomorrow?

The Prime Minister

Yes, all preparations have been made.

Mr. Eden

May I ask the Prime Minister if he has been made aware that there is considerable concern that the Minister of Labour should have left the country at this particular moment to go to a conference where the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour already is, and whether it would not have been possible to retain the Minister of Labour here until these difficult negotiations were completed?

The Prime Minister

At the time my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour left for the important Conference of the I.L.O. it was thought that the matter had been settled. The matter is, of course, in hand with the Parliamentary Secretary, and I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that everything will be done. It is, of course, unfortunate that the Minister of Labour should be absent, but these things threaten at times and one can never quite tell whether they are coming off or not.

Mr. Gallacher

Is not the Prime Minister aware that there were 1,800 men estimated to be at the Albert Hall when that decision was taken, and that over 6,000 men at Victoria Park took an opposite decision? Would the Government take immediate steps to grant the elementary demands of the men and get them back to work and then have an inquiry? It is a shameful thing that ships should be held up at this time. The Government should take responsibility. They should take action for getting the men back by granting the demands of the men. Why is it that the demands of the men are never granted?

The Prime Minister

The figures of the hon. Member are quite wrong.

Earl Winterton

Would the right hon. Gentleman say, to allay the natural anxiety felt in constituencies like mine and many other districts based on London for their meat supplies—[Interruption]—It is a very important matter, whatever hon. Gentlemen below the Gangway may say. Would he be in a position tomorrow to have a statement made by the Minister of Food saying exactly how the rations will stand this week and next?

The Prime Minister

Yes, certainly. As I have already said to the right hon. Gentleman opposite, all steps have been taken to ensure that perishable goods shall be moved, and if necessary, other matters shall be dealt with.

Mrs. Braddock

I understood the Prime Minister to say that the figures stated at the meeting this morning were wrong. I was at the Victoria Park meeting and there were approximately 7,000 men there. They all held up their union cards, stating that until the withdrawal of the penalties that have been imposed, they would not be prepared to resume work. May I say, not wanting in any way to hurt the situation, because I shall be involved in exactly the same way as I was involved before, that while I want to see this matter straightened out, I do hope that the Prime Minister will not comment with such complete complacency on the fact that these men will return tomorrow. I think further steps—

Mr. Speaker

This is becoming a speech and not a question.

The Prime Minister

I did not use any words of complacency. My information does not agree with that of my hon. Friend.

Mrs. Braddock

I was there.

The Prime Minister

I know, but perhaps my hon. Friend is not as good at counting as some other people. My information is correct. In any case I am quite sure that the right thing here is that the decision of the union should be honoured by all the members.

Mr. Piratin

Is the Minister aware that the meeting called at the Albert Hall this morning was convened by the Transport and General Workers Union who refused to allow the other union involved, the Stevedores Union, to participate and that therefore such a decision does not involve the Stevedores Union, and would he look into that matter?

Mr. Speaker

It is a pity that we should go on asking these provocative questions. The great thing is to get the matter settled.