HC Deb 24 July 1951 vol 491 cc175-6
1. Mr. J. R. Bevins

asked the Minister of Labour if he is now in a position to make a statement on dock labour reforms throughout the country following his consultations with interested parties.

19. Sir Richard Acland

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement as to action recently taken or pending in order to implement recommendations of the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Unofficial Stoppages in the London Docks, particularly in reference to establishing good relationships between all parties and providing improved amenities for workers.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Frederick Lee)

My consultations with the National Joint Council for the port transport industry are not yet completed.

Mr. Bevins

Is it not a fact that one of the principal recommendations of the Leggett Committee was that the Communist elements, who are only concerned with disrupting the ports of this country, should be dismissed from the industry, and as there is agreement between the employers and the trade unions on that recommendation, why is the hon. Gentleman not prepared to act?

Mr. Lee

I do not think that it is the function of the Government to dismiss people from the port industry.