§ Mr. Eden(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to set up a full inquiry into the working of the docks, including the Dock Labour Scheme, in view of the recurring stoppages in the industry.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe question of an inquiry is under discussion. I am not yet in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. EdenCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us when he expects to be in a position to make that statement—this week or next week, or when?
§ Mr. IsaacsI would not like to say today, but I can say that I hope to make it very early, next week at the latest.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanCan my right hon. Friend say whether, under the existing scheme, there is any provision to determine whether men employed by the Dock Labour Board need or need not be members of any appropriate trade union?
§ Mr. IsaacsI should think the hon. Member might put a Question down on the Order Paper
§ Mr. SilvermanWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that I do not think it 1581 necessary to do that, in view of the statements on the subject that he has made from time to time. All I am asking for is a clarification of those statements.
§ Mr. IsaacsIf I made those statements the hon. Gentleman must either believe or disbelieve them. If he believes them, why does he ask a question?
§ Captain CrookshankCan the right hon. Gentleman say how he reconciles what he has just said with the reply he gave three-quarters of an hour ago to Question No. 9, when he said that he was not going to do anything?
§ Mr. IsaacsIf the right hon. and gallant Gentleman looks at it, he will find that Question No. 9 deals with trade union discipline and unofficial strikes. This Question refers to a much wider subject, which is the general discontent in the docks.
§ Mr. MarplesOn a point of Order, Question No. 9 was mine and did not refer to trade unions at all. It was only in the reply that the right hon. Gentleman gave that he brought in the subject of trade union discipline.
§ Mr. SilvermanWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is no question of believing or not believing him? Of course, one believes everything that the 1582 right hon. Gentleman takes the responsibility for saying at the Box. The point was not that at all, but whether the existing scheme does or does not contain any such provision. That is a plain question of fact which the right hon. Gentleman ought to be able to answer.
§ Mr. IsaacsI answered that definitely and categorically last week and the hon. Gentleman is now insinuating that I misled the House.
§ Mr. AwberyWill the Minister give an assurance that no variation will take place in the Dock Labour Scheme without the fullest co-operation with the trade union concerned?
§ Mr. SilvermanOn a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I ask for your guidance as to how I can persuade the right hon. Gentleman that I have not said and do not at all imply that he did anything whatever to mislead the House? All I did was to ask him a plain question of fact and nothing more.
§ Mr. SpeakerI think we had better leave this.