§ Mr. Roberts (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement about the present dispute in the shipbuilding industry.
§ The Minister of Labour and National Service (Mr. Iain Macleod)Since I made my statement to the House on Tuesday I have, at their request, seen representatives of the unions and of the employers. I took the opportunity of emphasising to both sides that, as sooner or later the dispute must be settled, it would be infinitely better to reach a quick and peaceful settlement by referring it to arbitration as I have already suggested than to embark upon a trial of strength with all the consequences which that would involve.
1313 The unions yesterday told me that they are not prepared to accept my suggestion of arbitration. I have just learnt from the employers that they are willing to go to arbitration by Lord Evershed and to accept his award provided that the unions will do the same and call off the threatened strike.
I intend to invite both sides to meet me again and to ask them to consider the full implications of the situation as it now stands.
§ Mr. RobensNone of us in this House wants to say anything which would exacerbate the present situation and I therefore refrain from making certain comments, which I had proposed to make, at this stage. I merely want to ask the Minister, in view of the fact that he is to invite both sides to meet him again, not to take our silence as indicating that we approve wholly the action of himself or the Government in this matter.
§ Mr. MacleodThe right hon. Gentleman is, of course, fully entitled to make such reservations as he chooses. All I will do, responding in the same spirit, is to say that I very much welcome what he said in the earlier part of his supplementary question and that I am sure that he wishes, with me, and as we all do in this House, that the counsels that all men of good will wish to see prevail will prevail in this case.