HC Deb 29 April 1953 vol 514 cc2136-7
24. Mr. Awbery

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in view of the fact that the postal clerks of Singapore were claiming 44 months' back-pay and the recent award of arbitration proceedings conducted by Mr. Yong awarded 28 months, whether he will take steps to bring about speedier negotiations to obviate such long periods of retrospective pay, and to deal with the outstanding difficulties not specifically dealt with by the arbitration court.

Mr. Lyttelton

I agree that delays in negotiations are undesirable, especially if they have the consequences suggested. The Government of Singapore are fully alive to this and I see no need to intervene.

Mr. Awbery

Is the Minister aware that the main cause of the strikes in Malaya, and we have had quite a number during the past 12 months, is the delay caused by the prolongation of the negotiations, particularly in Government Departments, and will he take steps to see that these negotiations are not prolonged?

Mr. Lyttelton

I agree it is undesirable that the negotiations should be so prolonged. But the hon. Member is probably aware that the award of back pay in the case to which he refers is not due to the length of the negotiations but to the fact that the union wanted retrospective effect to August, 1949, on which date the Federal Government had made concessions to similar workers.