§ Mr. Eden(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he has any further statement to make about the strike at the London Docks.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)There is little to add to yesterday's statement. The task of dealing with perishable foods is duly proceeding to the requirements of the Ministry of Food. Work is also proceeding on the part of some of the workers at Surrey, Blackfriars, West India and Tooley Street Docks and efforts are being made to obtain a fuller resumption of work. It is clear that the continued strike is the only bar to an examination of any grievances that may be felt. I would ask that I should not be pressed for any further statement this afternoon.
§ Mr. EdenI must ask the Prime Minister one or two questions arising out of yesterday's statement. Can he tell us how many troops are now being employed in the docks? According to a message I have just seen, only about 200 troops are being used, and there are still 17,000 men out on strike. Are only perishable foodstuffs being unloaded from the Port of London, and what is the situation concerning other ships? How long is that situation to continue? What is the cumulative effect on our export trade and the life of the country?
§ The Prime MinisterTroops are being used in accordance with the demands of the Ministry of Food. Other Armed Forces will be brought in if necessary. The necessity is not very great at the present time, because, although there were certain perishable foodstuffs, the Armed Forces were there, and the men did the work yesterday.
§ Mr. EdenIs it the position that troops are only being used in respect of perishable foodstuffs, and, in the meanwhile, what is happening about the unloading of ships in the Port of London, where there are still over 150 ships, and how long must there be a virtual standstill of operations in that Port?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is obvious that one cannot, at a moment's notice, replace the whole number of men at the docks, but all preparations are made, if the stoppage should continue, for bringing in more men from the Services. At the present moment, those who are there are put in to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Food.
§ Mr. EdenCan the Prime Minister tell us how long it is proposed that we should wait, while allowing this continuous accumulation of ships in the docks, before any decision is to be taken on any steps contemplated by the Government, so that the ships may be unloaded and the trade of the country may proceed?
§ The Prime MinisterWe are not waiting. There are some 7,000 men now at work, and I hope to see a further resumption.
§ Mr. EdenIs the right hon. Gentleman really sure about these figures? The information which I have suggests that there are only between 2,000 and 3,000 men at work and 17,000 out.
§ The Prime MinisterThese are the returns from the Dock Labour Board.
Mrs. BraddockIn view of the fact that the dividing line between the men returning to work and those still on strike is so slender, and that already a compromise is being suggested by the union to inquire into the working of the dock labour scheme, would it be possible for the Prime Minister to suggest that the question of the suspension of the 11 men, as reduced by the appeal tribunal, should be suspended for a month while a full inquiry takes place?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I have already said that it is perfectly open to raise that question of disciplinary action, but the particular cases have been dealt with under the machinery that has been set up. The full resources have been brought in, and the question has gone to appeal, not once but twice. It is quite impossible to suggest that it should be re-opened.
§ Mr. ChurchillCould the right hon. Gentleman, who has asked us not to press the matter now, state what is the nature of the impending or current negotiations which are going forward which requires him to say that this matter ought not to be discussed now? We have had this same reason given day after day, but the strike has continued, and I think some more precise and substantial reason should be given to us if we are not to press for this matter to be further considered at the present time.
§ The Prime MinisterThere are, of course, no negotiations with the unofficial strikers. This matter is being dealt with by the union, and every effort is being made to get the men back to work. I think they should be given every opportunity.
§ Mr. ChurchillWe are separating tomorrow for the weekend, and no Adjournment can be moved after this afternoon until next Monday, and that is four more days added to, I think, 12. If there are 150 ships accumulating and awaiting discharge, why, after all this, should not the full strength of what are called Service personnel be used to unload these ships and procure the clearance of the port and a cessation of the paralysis which grips it at present? Some sort of reason ought to be given us, though we do not want to have an awkward discussion which would embarrass the Government. I agree with the right hon. Gentleman in refusing to give way to the demands made against the legitimate trade union, but we really ought to have something more solid than has been given to us so far.
§ The Prime MinisterThere is no question of not bringing in men to do this work. The right hon. Gentleman knows quite well that we cannot immediately bring in whole masses of people to do the work of the docks. We have brought them in to meet immediate necessity. Plans are already in hand and arrangements made for further men to be brought in if required and if the stoppage should not cease.
§ Mr. MolsonWhat does the Prime Minister mean by saying that men have been brought in to deal with immediate necessities? Are we to understand that the number of troops working there at the present time is sufficient to clear food 1566 from these ships in order that none of it shall go bad?
§ The Prime MinisterI think I made that statement yesterday.
§ Mr. GallacherI want to ask the Prime Minister whether in view of the very great and heroic services given by these dockers during the war, he will not consult the men's representatives and thereby bring this undesirable strike to an end? These dockers never let down the Leader of the Opposition during the war, and it is a shame that he should talk about them now as he has done, advising the Prime Minister not to see them.
§ The Prime MinisterThe short reply is that there is no question of not meeting the men's representatives. The union representatives have been met by the Ministry of Labour.
§ Mr. GallacherNo, the men. If it were the financiers, the door would be open to them.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is the policy of this Government, and I think of this House, that we should deal with the union representatives and support their authority.
§ Earl WintertonIs the Prime Minister aware that there has been no answer to the question put by my right hon. Friend on the subject of the meat ration for London and the Home Counties for this weekend and next week? Could we have an answer to this question, which is a matter of great public importance, and could the right hon. Gentleman now state that the meat ration is assured, and whether the troops are taking steps to get the meat off the ships?
§ The Prime MinisterI have not had notice of that question.
§ Earl WintertonI asked the right hon. Gentleman.
§ The Prime MinisterI was not aware that I had been asked. As I understand it, the meat ration is secured for this week-end.
§ Mr. DraysonHas the attention of the Prime Minister been drawn to a statement by Mr. Arthur Deakin to the effect that "the rot is setting in," and does that refer to the food that has been left on the ships?
§ Air-Commodore HarveyIn order to reassure the public, will the Prime Minister ask the Minister of Food to make a statement tomorrow, before the weekend, regarding the food position for the next two weeks?
§ Mr. EdenIn view of the Prime Minister's request we are reluctant to press for a Debate, but, since we go away tomorrow and there cannot be an Adjournment Debate tomorrow, would he give us an absolute assurance that over the weekend any necessary steps will be taken so that the export trade of this country can function again, and that when the Government say they propose to take steps, those steps are not limited merely to the moving of perishable foodstuffs?
§ The Prime MinisterCertainly. I never suggested that the steps taken should be limited to the movement of perishable foods. That was the first matter that had to be dealt with. I entirely agree that it is quite obvious that we cannot have the whole of the life of this country held up.