HC Deb 27 April 1955 vol 540 cc942-4
Mr. Robens

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour and National Service whether he has any statement to make on the threatened railway stoppage.

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

As the House knows, on 16th April the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, the union which represents the bulk of the footplate men employed on the railways, announced their intention of calling their members out on strike as from 1st May, in protest against the award of the Railway Staff National Tribunal which was announced the previous day. This award has the effect of confirming an agreement providing for general increases in rates, including increases for all footplate grades, which had been reached between the British Transport Commission and the National Union of Railwaymen, to apply from 10th January. It resulted, however, in a narrowing of the differentials for all footplate men arising from last November's award of the Tribunal. The sums involved are small—ranging from 1s. 6d. to 5s. 6d. per week—and the Society's case, as their representatives have made plain to me, is based not on any claim of hardship, but on their concern to prevent any shrinkage in existing differentials enjoyed by the footplate grades.

The decision to strike involves throwing overboard the award of the industry's own Tribunal confirming an agreement to which the other union involved, namely the National Union of Railwaymen, is a party. That union has men in every grade concerned.

In these circumstances I did not feel able to intervene. As the issue had already been before the industry's own Tribunal, I could not set up an independent body, such as a court of inquiry, to look into it. Nor could I invite the British Transport Commission to reconsider the footplate men's rates as this would involve jettisoning an agreement which the Commission had concluded with the National Union of Railwaymen and which had been confirmed by the Tribunal. I have seen the Chairman of the British Transport Commission, who takes the view that the agreement and award should stand.

The Trades Union Congress, with which I have kept in close touch throughout, has been giving much consideration to the dispute. Their appropriate Committee has been in touch with the Society. I have this morning received a notification from the General Council of the Trades Union Congress, of a resolution in the following terms: That the General Council (of the Trades Union Congress) ask the Minister of Labour to arrange a meeting of representatives of the British Transport Commission and the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, with the object of discussing the possibility of ending the present deadlock. In response to this request, and in view of the widespread unemployment and dislocation of our national economy which would result from a railway stoppage, I have thought it right to invite the Commission and the Society to take part in discussions at my Ministry during this afternoon. These discussions, of which I am quite unable to predict the outcome, are about to take place. I am sure that in these circumstances the House would not wish me to add to my statement at this stage.

Mr. Robens

I am sure that the whole House will be obliged to the right hon. and learned Gentleman for such a full statement, but I think hon. Members would also wish to pay tribute to the initiative shown by the T.U.C. in arranging for the two sides to be brought together. It seems to me—and I agree with the right hon. and learned Gentleman on this point—that it would perhaps be wrong for us to debate the matter now by question and answer. We can merely hope that the results of the negotiations now proceeding at his Ministry will be fruitful and bring peace to the industry.

Mr. Collick

May I ask if the Minister is aware that the keen feeling of resentment felt by the loco men at the present position arises from the fact that it was only after the most prolonged negotiations that they recently re-established an acceptable differential wage base; and it is because the proposal now made nullifies this that the men feel that they have no option but to resist it? Whereas the total number of locomotive drivers, motor men, firemen and cleaners employed in Great Britain is, roughly, 82,000, no fewer than 10,000 of those men left their jobs in 12 months and, from that, is it not obvious that something is radically wrong and calls for immediate attention?

Sir W. Monckton

I think it most undesirable that I should go into any of the questions which will rise for discussion and which, I must say, have no doubt been discussed before the Tribunal.