HC Deb 19 October 1954 vol 531 cc1011-2
14. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement in respect of the London bus strike; and what official representations had previously been made by trade unions in respect of the issues involved.

The Minister of Labour and National Insurance (Sir Walter Monckton)

For some time, London Transport have suffered from a shortage of staff in their road services, and this has made it difficult for services to be maintained without overtime and rest-day working.

Since the beginning of September, an increasing number of bus depots and garages have been affected by an unofficial ban on overtime and rest-day working to enforce demands made by an unofficial body for increased pay and improved working conditions. The ban led to restriction of services and new schedules were prepared to provide a regular service based on the number of staff available. They were to operate from 12 central area garages as from 13th October, but the staff at seven of these garages refused to work them and staff at other garages also stopped work.

Discussions were taking place, before the stoppage, between the London Transport Executive and the Transport and General Workers Union on the staff shortage problem. The Executive have made it clear that discussions with the Union will be restarted without delay on all matters which they may wish to raise when normal working is resumed.

The Transport and General Workers Union have consistently urged their members to resume normal working and, as the House will be aware, a substantial number have today returned to work following a conference of union delegates held yesterday. It is hoped that the remainder will soon be back at work.

Mr. Sorensen

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say approximately what proportion of men came out on strike out of the total number involved, and how many are now back?

Sir W. Monckton

Perhaps, without notice, it is easier for me to deal with garages than with exact figures, if that will help the hon. Gentleman sufficiently. The strike was at 43 garages out of a total of 113, and the position early this morning was that work had been resumed at 15 of the 43 garages affected. It is understood that 14 of the remaining 28 garages have decided to resume work tomorrow. I do not know about the remaining 14 or so.