HC Deb 17 October 1961 vol 646 cc7-8
Mr. Edelman

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the strike leading to the dismissal of Rootes motor workers at Coventry.

The Minister of Labour (Mr. John Hare)

The strike at British Light Steel Pressings, Acton, began on 4th September. About 900 men were on strike there before being dismissed on 28th September, and the consequential notices of dismissals at the Rootes group factories expiring on 24th October total over 8,000. This stoppage at Acton was not supported by the three unions covering the vast majority of the workers.

I understand that British Light Steel Pressings is prepared to commence re-engagements and I would urge the men concerned to apply for re-employment immediately.

Mr. Edelman

Is not this a tragic situation for the whole of the motor industry? To avoid the bitterness which is growing on both sides, will not the Minister now call the trade unions and the employers together in order to break the present deadlock at Acton and get the men to return to work en masse pending these discussions? While this is going on, will not the Minister use his good offices with Messrs. Rootes and ask them to suspend their dismissal notices and allow the men at Coventry to keep the jobs, with the loss of which they are now threatened?

Mr. Hare

I think that the hon. Gentleman will realise that there is no dispute between the firm and the unions principally concerned. To ask me to intervene in what is primarily an unofficial strike is not, I think, advice which, on second thoughts, he would consider wise.

I do not think that I can interfere with Messrs. Rootes over the dismissal notices. The House ought to realise that this firm has kept workers in employment for several weeks when there was insufficient work for them. The firm has made clear that the decision to dismiss its employees—a decision which it took most reluctantly—has been imposed on it by the strike at British Light Steel Pressings, at Acton, which stopped the flow of accessories essential for production.

Mr. Holland

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any of the people who originally came out on strike have accepted the firm's invitation to go back to work, whether any have applied for jobs there, and whether any have been employed by the firm since the beginning of the strike?

Mr. Hare

I think that it is true that a small number have applied and have been engaged.

Mr. Edelman

Is not the Minister aware that unless the deadlock at Acton is broken, the consequences of this industrial dispute are bound to ripple outwards, causing untold hardships to very many people, who will become the innocent victims? Is he not further aware that if he allows the situation at Acton to stagnate, the consequences in other parts of the country, and not only in Coventry, may well do irreparable damage to the whole of the motor industry?

Mr. Hare

I think that the hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that the unions have recommended and advised these men to go back to work. This is still a free country. The obvious answer to this problem is that these men should go back to work in order to preserve the livelihood of thousands of their workmates.