HC Deb 12 February 1957 vol 564 cc1085-6
Mr. Parker

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour and National Service what action he now proposes to take in view of the complete breakdown of negotiations yesterday over the dispute at Messrs. Briggs?

The Minister of Labour and National Service (Mr. lain Macleod)

I understand that, following the failure to reach agreement with the employers yesterday, the trade unions are considering the situation, The Executive of the Amalgamated Engineering Union is to meet this afternoon and there will be a meeting of all the unions concerned next Friday.

As I have already told the House, I do not rule out the possibility of an inquiry into this dispute, but before reaching a decision I would wish to see whether my Department could help by conciliation or other ways. I have today reminded both the employers and the trade unions that the services of my officers are available at any time.

Mr. Parker

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that answer, may I ask whether he is aware of the strong sense of frustration among many workers at Briggs's at the long time taken to deal with their grievances? Will he consider setting up an inquiry to go into the whole cause of the many disputes that have taken place at this works over the last few years?

Mr. Macleod

I hope that the House will forgive me if I do not comment in detail, because there is a very explosive situation there. There is the double problem both of the dispute which has arisen and of the long history of unhappy labour relations there which we should all like to see brought to an end. I am not certain that an inquiry at this stage is right. I do not rule it out. I have today put the services of my Department at the disposal of both employers and the unions.

Mr. Lee

From this side of the House we wish the right hon. Gentleman very well indeed in his efforts at conciliation in this dispute. Is he aware that the trade unions have already done a first-class job of work in getting a resumption of work at Ford's? There is great excitement because the men feel that there is a clear case of victimisation of a shop steward.

Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that one of the difficulties is the memory that we had a hard job to get Ford's to accept trade unions at all, and that the feeling is that because there is slackness in the industry Ford's are taking advantage of it to victimise those who are doing work on behalf of the unions? If this sort of thing is to happen there can be no hope of real peace in the industry.

Mr. Macleod

I am aware of the feelings on both sides, but I am sure that it would not help if I commented upon the situation beyond what I have already said.