§ 27. Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Labour when he expects the Report to be available of the Committee which has been inquiring into the operation of the Dock Labour Scheme; and what action he contemplates taking upon the committee's findings.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThis Report is being published today and copies are available in the Vote Office. As regards action on the Report, my first step must be to invite the organisations concerned in the Port Transport Industry, including the National Dock Labour Board, to consider the Report, and this I am doing immediately.
§ Mr. PageHaving regard to the very considerable task which my right hon. Friend's predecessor set this Committee, may I congratulate the Committee in getting out its Report in under a year? It was a year ago tomorrow that it was appointed. May I ask my right hon. Friend whether the Report recommends any substantial reform in the Dock Labour Scheme, and if not, would he agree that he would be expressing public opinion if he told the parties—employers, unions and the Dock Board itself—to get on with the job of making that scheme work in partnership and not always using it as a scapegoat for its own ills?
§ Mr. MacleodThe Report is in the Vote Office now. For the information of the House, I can say that no major change in the scheme is recommended. A number of minor changes are proposed. Clearly, I must have the views of all interested parties on this matter before I move.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that reports in the past have indicted employers for many of the delays that have taken place in the docks. What is the right hon. Gentleman doing to ensure that the employers as well as the workmen carry out their obligations?
§ Mr. MacleodI am much less interested in indicting people for what has happened in the past than in ensuring that we get the best possible service from this industry for the country in the future.