§ Mr. Alfred Robens (by Private Notice)asked the Minister of Labour and National Service whether he has any further statement to make on the dock strike.
§ The Minister of Labour and National Service (Sir Walter Monckton)There has been little change in the situation since my previous statement to the House on Friday. About 1,000 men have gone back to work in the Port of London, but some 700 are now on strike at Manchester. Elsewhere, there is no appreciable change.
The damaging effects of this stoppage on the country's economic life, to which I referred in my previous statement, grow more serious day by day; in particular, the threat to employment in other industries is causing increasing concern.
The Court of Inquiry, which is investigating the causes and circumstances of the dispute, has, in view of the urgency of the situation, submitted to me an Interim Report. I have taken immediate steps to expedite its publication and I hope that it will be available to hon. Members tomorrow afternoon.
§ Mr. RobensAs this Interim Report is to be published tomorrow, would not the Minister agree that perhaps it would be as well to defer further questions and answers until we have had an opportunity to examine it?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI should be greatly obliged.