HC Deb 15 December 1952 vol 509 cc969-70
Mr. Robens

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any statement to make about the colliery winders' strike in the Yorkshire coalfields.

The Minister of Labour (Sir Walter Monckton)

A stoppage of work by certain colliery winders, in an attempt to secure a wage increase, began in the Yorkshire coalfields on Saturday afternoon. The men concerned are members of the Yorkshire Winding Enginemen's Association, and this Association is a constituent part of the National Union of Mineworkers, which is the sole union recognised by the National Coal Board for negotiating purposes in relation to this class of mineworker.

The union does not support the unconstitutional action taken by the winders concerned, and is collaborating with the National Coal Board in measures which have been taken to minimise loss of production. I understand that of the 115 pits in Yorkshire, only 19 are standing completely idle, and 52 are working normally.

I must emphasise that the action of the winders is entirely unconstitutional. If continued it can only cause unjustifiable loss to the community at large and inflict unnecessary hardship on the men themselves, on their families, and thousands of fellow workers in the pits at a season when such hardship is peculiarly hard to bear.

I would, therefore, urge the men concerned to stand by the agreements of the industry in which they are parties and return to work without delay.

Mr. Robens

While thanking the right hon. and learned Gentleman for that statement, and while no one on this side of the House would wish to say anything which would exacerbate feelings in this matter, may I ask if the officers of his Department are on the spot in an endeavour to bring both sides together?

Sir W. Monckton

We keep in close touch through the Ministry's officials, but the matter is being handled by the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers themselves.

Sir H. Williams

Can the Minister say whether "unconstitutional action" means illegal or improper in any way?

Sir W. Monckton

I meant that there is negotiating machinery which is available and which is the ordinary way of handling these matters, and it is not being used.