HC Deb 22 October 1954 vol 531 cc1499-501
Mr. Alfred Robens

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour and National Service whether he has any further statement to make about the dock strike.

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

According to my latest information there has been little change in the position in the London docks since I made my statement to the House on Tuesday, and work there remains practically at a standstill. The numbers on strike on Merseyside have increased, and substantial numbers of men have stopped work in Hull and Southampton.

I referred in my previous statement to the damage caused to our country's trade and the threat to our food supplies and to employment. That, of course, continues cumulatively.

A Court of Inquiry is now conducting an impartial investigation into the causes and circumstances of the dispute. There is no reason why this strike should go on a day longer. The men on strike would not prejudice their position in any way by returning to work.

The Government have a primary and paramount duty to protect the life and work of the nation; on this, they are determined. They have not found it necessary up to now to introduce military labour, but they will not hesitate to do so as soon as, in their judgment, it becomes necessary.

Mr. Robens

I am sure no one is more pleased than the right hon. and learned Gentleman himself that he has found that the situation in relation to essential food supplies is such that it has not yet been necessary to use military labour. We join with him in the pleasure that he must have on that account. But would he not agree that the published reports of the Court of Inquiry are such as to reveal that the Court is very painstakingly and very searchingly sifting all the evidence in relation to this dispute, and that the continuance of the strike cannot possibly help in any way the cause for which the strikers have struck? Would he, therefore, join with me now in a sincere and earnest appeal to the dockers to resume work on Monday morning, which will prevent the use of military labour, and which will be without prejudice to the cause for which they have struck?

Sir W. Monckton

I gladly and wholeheartedly join with the right hon. Gentleman in making that powerful and timely appeal. I would only add this: he is quite right in saying that if the strikers decide to go back to work they can do so wholly without prejudice to the matters which are being so carefully and fully investigated by the Court which I have set up, because they can go back, if they so choose, on pre-strike conditions, that is to say, without working overtime, which is the sole subject of controversy.

Mr. H. Hynd

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long the Court of Inquiry is likely to deliberate?

Sir W. Monckton

I cannot give the date for the conclusion of the Court's labours and report, but it is well-aware how urgent it is, and it looks to me as if it is getting on very fast.

Mr. Awbery

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear beyond a shadow of doubt to the men who are now out of work that immediately they return to work the ordinary negotiating machinery of their unions can be put into operation immediately to settle the matter that is in dispute?

Sir W. Monckton

It is one of the unfortunate features that the negotiating machinery has not so far proved adequate. I am always glad when negotiations are resumed. For the moment, we must wait for the report of the Inquiry.

Mr. Mellish

Is there any hope of an interim report on this matter?

Sir W. Monckton

It is clear from the terms of reference specifically that an interim report is open to the Court.