HC Deb 03 May 1961 vol 639 c1389
31. Mr. Delargy

asked the Minister of Labour how many tally clerks have been unemployed at Tilbury on each working day from 1st March, 1961, to the latest convenient date.

Mr. Hare

As the reply consists of a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Delargy

Can the Minister confirm the information that I have received that in fact there has been unemployment every day during that period and even over a longer period? If that is so, does it not indicate that the fear of unemployment expressed by these men in opposition to the proposed further recruitment was well-founded?

Mr. Hare

As the hon. Gentleman knows, it is quite true that there has been an increase in the number proving attendance compared with last year when, as he will remember, the figure was very low. I am sure that he also realises that it is the duty of the National Dock Labour Board in consultation with the local labour board concerned to keep the size of the register under review and to adjust it if necessary. I also understand that the Board expects that some part of the slack will be taken up when the holiday season arrives and the new pension scheme comes into force.

Following is the Table:

NUMBERS OF TALLY CLERKS AT TILBURY PROVING ATTENDANCE FROM 1ST MARCH TO 15TH APRIL, 1961, AND FOR WHOM NO WORK WAS AVAILABLE
Date Number Date Number
1st March 41 25th March 23
2nd March 29 27th March 20
3rd March 20 28th March 30
4th March 45 29th March 44
6th March 19 30th March 57
7th March 21 31st March Public Holiday
8th March 44
9th March 53 1st April 54
10th March 61 3rd April Public Holiday
11th March 54
13th March 3 4th April 33
14th March 7 5th April 16
15th March 7 6th April 8
16th March 13 7th April 30
17th March 28 8th April 50
18th March 36 10th April 48
20th March 31 11th April 38
21st March 5 12th April 50
22nd March 4 13th April 65
23rd March 4 14th April 32
24th March 11 15th April 35