§ 38. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the industrial dispute among printing employees in Singapore and that Army personnel are being used to do the work of the men on strike; if he will make arrangements to prevent strike-breaking in this way; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LytteltonAbout 250 employees of the Straits Times Press. Limited, went on strike on 6th February. I am aware that a very few soldiers volunteered without the knowledge of the military authorities to work in their spare time on the printing of a newspaper for the firm on the 7th and 8th February. The circumstances are under investigation.
§ Mr. AwberyAre we to take it that it is the policy of the Government to allow soldiers to volunteer to take the place of men on strike, and, if that is so, may I ask the Minister if he will discontinue that practice as soon as possible? Is he aware that there is no conciliation machinery in the printing industry in Singapore, and that the result of this strike has been that the papers have been cut down and 150 men have been thrown out of employment?
§ Mr. LytteltonThere are one or two answers to that supplementary question. In the first place, it was an illegal strike, and, in the second place, it is no part of the Government's policy to employ soldiers to break strikes, illegal or otherwise. Another question arises as to what regulations should be made about the use of their spare time by soldiers, and I have already told the hon. Gentleman that the circumstances are under investigation.
§ Wing Commander BullusAre not the journalists who are producing the papers to be commended for their determination to disseminate news to the public, as this is an illegal strike?
§ Mr. AwberyWill the right hon. Gentleman tell us what is an illegal strike, so that these men, if they have to strike, can have a legal strike?
§ Mr. LytteltonIf the hon. Gentleman will put that Question on the Paper, I will give him a satisfactory reply.