HC Deb 19 May 1953 vol 515 cc1871-3
46. Mr. Chapman

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now make a statement on the Report of the Committee of Inquiry on the dispute at the Austin Motor Works.

The Minister of Labour (Sir Walter Monckton)

The Report of the court of inquiry was issued last week, and I have no doubt that the parties to the dispute are giving careful consideration to its statements and findings. I trust that in the result better relations will be established between the union and the company, and I have invited their attention in particular to the hope expressed by the court that they will make every endeavour to achieve good industrial relations. I am sure this is a hope we all share.

Mr. Chapman

Could the Minister say whether he can think of, and whether he can practice, any particular steps to improve industrial relations, which are very bad at this particular factory? Secondly, since it is the main concern that these men should be re-absorbed without any further bitterness, will the Minister investigate the allegation that only three or four out of 30 men on the strike committee have been offered a return to work? Will he find out whether this is some new attempt to provoke further bitterness in this very difficult situation?

Sir W. Monckton

I will try to think of steps, and to take all the steps I think appropriate, to improve relations there and everywhere else. I think it is satisfactory to see that we have submitted for re-employment the names of those who have been strikers and have been discharged. The position at present is that there were 1,583 discharged strikers, of whom about 1,480 registered at Exchanges, and that so far 1,200 have been re-engaged by Austin's, and a further 40 have been found employment with other firms.

Mr. Chapman

What about the strike committee?

Sir W. Monckton

I cannot answer that question without notice.

Mr. Robson Brown

Will my right hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that this attitude of magnanimity of the firm will be greatly appreciated, and will do much to reduce any aftermath of bitterness among the men?

Sir W. Monckton

I am anxious that as many of these men as possible should be re-employed. A great many have been re-employed, and I think the sooner we forget the bitterness and try to get better relations, the better for all of us.

Mr. Edelman

Will the Minister bear in mind that this costly court was set up too late and reported too late to have any direct bearing on the settlement of the strike? Will the Minister now, in the interests of the industrial peace which we all hope to see, invite the company, which the court says has a share of responsibility for the development of the strike, to reengage those former strikers who are now unemployed?

Sir W. Monckton

As to the first matter about the court of inquiry, as I have previously explained, as soon as I was asked to appoint it I obtained the views of both parties, I did appoint it within a week and it sat as soon as it reasonably could. As for asking the firm to re-engage the men, I wrote to them—I sent the first part to the union as well—saying: I am to draw your attention in particular to the final sentence of paragraph 85 in the Report,"— this is written by one of my staff, not by me— and to say that the Minister shares the hope expressed by the Court that both parties will now make every endeavour to establish good industrial relations. In writing to the company, it was added: The Minister trusts that, with this object in mind, the Company will proceed as rapidly as possible with plans for the re-employment of men who have been discharged.

Mr. Robens

Will the Minister agree that in the present state of affairs, which shows great bitterness in the personal relations of this firm, it would be a useful thing if he would convene a meeting of both sides to get effective personal relations established?

Sir W. Monckton

I always pay attention to suggestions made to me by the right hon. Gentleman on a matter of this sort; I will certainly look into that.

Forward to