HC Deb 19 October 1954 vol 531 cc1035-7
Sir W. Monckton

With permission, I will make a statement in answer to Question No. 20.

The strike in the London Docks began on 28th September when a dispute over the sorting of a cargo of meat resulted in an unofficial stoppage of work. On 1st October, the National Amalgamated Stevedores' and Dockers' Union decided to declare an official strike on and from 4th October. The members of this union were subsequently joined by large numbers of men belonging to the Transport and General Workers' Union, who ceased work in sympathy, although their action is entirely unofficial and against the advice of their union. On 17th October, the Watermen, Lightermen, Tugmen and Bargemen's Union called out their members and the work of the Port of London is now practically at a standstill. The stoppage has since spread to Birkenhead and Liverpool, though at the latter port a substantial number of men still remain at work.

The stoppage by the National Amalgamated Stevedores' and Dockers' Union on 4th October was to enforce their demand that, besides the question of meat sorting, discussions with the employers should take place on all outstanding matters. Discussions on these matters had not taken place because of a ban on overtime which the National Amalgamated Stevedores and Dockers had imposed in January last in support of their contention that the Dock Labour Scheme does not place a registered port worker under any obligation to work overtime. Since, as I shall explain later, I have set up a court of inquiry, I do not want to attempt to define this, which is the central issue, too precisely.

Efforts were made early in the year by officers of my Department and by myself to assist in reaching a settlement of this question but these were not successful. When I saw the employers' and the unions' representatives last week, it was clear that the overtime question was still the real issue, but it was equally clear that no progress could be made by negotiation at this stage. Having in mind that I might therefore find it necessary to appoint a court of inquiry, I emphasised to the National Amalgamated Stevedores and Dockers the gravity of the situation which the stoppage had caused, and asked them if, in the event of my setting up a court of inquiry, they would call off the strike. I pointed out that this could be done whether or not the overtime ban was maintained. I felt that this suggestion could have been accepted by them in the national interest, without in any way prejudicing their case before the court of inquiry, but the union refused to take this course.

I have now set up a court of inquiry into the causes and circumstances of the dispute. The court has already held a preliminary meeting and will be sitting tomorrow. I hope that the National Amalgamated Stevedores and Dockers will even now reconsider their decision and call off the strike in the knowledge that they can do so without in the least damaging the case which they wish to present to the court.

The stoppage in the London Docks is having a serious effect on the country's export trade, it is endangering food supplies, and it threatens to cause unemployment in other industries. If the stoppage continues, the effects will become progressively more serious and the economic life of the nation will be endangered. The Government are, of course, watching the situation closely and will take any steps which may become necessary to protect the national interest.

Mr. Robens

I am sure that the House will be grateful to the right hon. and learned Gentleman for the clear statement he has just made. It would be a mistake if, by reason of question and answer in this House at this stage, we were to exacerbate relations in a very difficult and delicate situation. May I therefore content myself with expressing the hope that the dockers, having made their demonstration, will resume normal work while the court of inquiry sits, which would be without prejudice to the case which they may have?

Mr. McCorquodale

In order to get the matter quite clear, may I ask the Minister whether I should be right in assuming that the stevedores union could have gone back to work at any time, maintaining their ban on overtime, and leaving the whole question of overtime to be discussed by the court of inquiry?

Sir W. Monckton

That was the position I sought to make plain to them, as a suggestion, namely, that if the real issue was, as everybody agreed, centred on the operation of overtime and the right to call for it and so forth, it would save the nation a lot and avoid everybody suffering a lot if they would go back and not do overtime and thus not prejudice their own position before the court. I still hope that they will listen to that appeal.

Sir R. Acland

Will the Minister consider taking similar or comparable action in relation to the other strike in the dockland area, namely, the strike of ship-repair workers, because there appear to be issues there which will not yield unless the Minister takes some initiative and goes into the matter thoroughly and profoundly?

Sir W. Monckton

The ship-repairers strike is of a very different character and I am very anxious at any stage to help all I can. However, I am sure that the House would not wish me to state all the circumstances which enable me to judge if and when that time comes, though I would say that I do not think that at this moment the setting up of a court of inquiry would help.