§ 37. Mr. C. R. Hobsonasked the Paymaster-General if he has yet had any notification of the dispute at Marchwood Power Station, near Southampton, between the London Electricity Board contracting section and Messrs. Maybridge Construction Company Limited.
§ Sir I. HorobinNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HobsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this dispute is now in its sixth week and that the London Electricity Board has refused any approaches to negotiations? Surely, in view of the dual loyalties already admitted by the personnel of the London Electricity Board contracting department, is it not about time that his noble Friend occupied himself with this dispute?
§ Sir I. HorobinWith regard to the last part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, perhaps he would await an answer to a Question which is on the Order Paper today. As to the original Question, I am advised that there is no dispute between the union and the Board. There is a dispute, unfortunately, between two unions. One union apparently is responsible for laying the mains and the other for producing the thing in which they are to be laid, and the men of one of the unions say that if they do not do both they will not do either.