HC Deb 17 October 1950 vol 478 cc1857-60
3. Major Guy Lloyd

asked the Minister of Labour what penalties have been exacted since the end of the war from workers who have participated in a strike in connection with a trade dispute which has not been reported to him under the National Arbitration Order of 18th July, 1940.

Mr. Isaacs

Since the end of the war, proceedings under this Order have been undertaken in only 10 cases in connection With the recent gas strike, and these are still sub judice.

Major Lloyd

If it is true, as I gather the Minister would like us and the country to believe, that most of these strikes are inspired by Communists for political reasons, is it not a great pity that the Government deprived themselves of the powers of the 1927 Trade Disputes Act by which they could have dealt with these matters?

Sir Waldron Smithers

Are not the words Oh a servant when he reigneth Is more than ever slave! the answer to this question?

12. Mr. F. P. Crowder

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make available the evidence which he possesses against strike agitators in order to give private persons an opportunity of implementing the existing law and to protect themselves against these persons.

Mr. Isaacs

No, Sir. All available information is before the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney-General, and it is for them to decide whether a prosecution should be instituted in any particular case. It would be contrary to the public interest to disclose the nature of the information available.

Mr. Crowder

Will the Minister give an undertaking that, provided the evidence is available, in future the agitators in all unofficial strikes will be prosecuted, and further that we shall not experience the unconscionable delay which resulted in the gas strike being so unnecessarily prolonged?

Mr. Isaacs

I am not prepared to go any further than the answer which I have already given.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the subversive activity by certain people in the iron and steel industry? What steps is he taking to direct the attention of the Director of Public Prosecutions to the action taken to sabotage an Act of Parliament?

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Will my right hon. Friend make it clear that strikes, whether official of unofficial, are never illegal in this country if proper notice is given, and that the illegality of a strike never depends on whether it is official or unofficial?

13. Mr. Braine

asked the Minister of Labour what steps have been taken to deal with the subversive organisation recently formed to disrupt essential services.

Mr. Isaacs

The activities of those concerned are being carefully watched.

Mr. Braine

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while many trade unionists do not believe in the existence of such an organisation and believe that the Government are using the Communists as a scapegoat, the general public, on the other hand, believe that such an organisation does exist and that the Government lack the will to deal with it? Will not the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance which will dispel this confusion?

Mr. Isaacs

I am not responsible for the confusion.

14. Commander Noble

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the London gas strike.

Mr. Isaacs

As the House will be aware, certain of the men who took part in this strike were prosecuted last week and have lodged appeals against the sentences passed on them. In these circumstances, I do not think it would be appropriate for me to make any statement at present.

Commander Noble

Is the Minister aware that, as these men pleaded guilty, the only thing sub judice is the sentence? Could he not, therefore, tell the House why the Government did not take earlier action to protect the consumer, because millions of people in London were without gas for three weeks?

Hon. Members

Answer.

Mr. Isaacs

The hon. and gallant Gentleman has told me something; he has not asked me something.

Commander Noble

May I ask the Minister why he did not take earlier action in the strike so as to protect the consumers in London?

Mr. Isaacs

Because, in the circumstances, I thought the action I took was appropriate.

15. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

asked the Minister of Labour how many participants in the recent unofficial strike in the gas industry have drawn National Assistance or refunds of Pay As You Earn during their illegal refusal to work.

Mr. Isaacs

I understand that this information is not readily available.

Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

Is it not a fact that, with regulations as they are at present, Government money is being used to subsidise and facilitate this irresponsible type of action?

Mr. Isaacs

That is something quite apart from the Question which the hon. and gallant Gentleman asked. My answer to his Question was that the figures were not readily available. The information might be obtained if the hon. and gallant Gentleman approached both the Ministry of National Insurance, with regard to National Assistance, and the Treasury with regard to the other matter.