§ Mr. Ray Gunter (by Private Notice)asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a further statement on the dispute in the dock industry following the informal conversations he had with leaders of each side yesterday.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. John Hare)As I foreshadowed in my statement yesterday, I have met the leaders of the employers' and trade union sides of the National Joint Council and had a full and frank discussion on the existing situation. I am also meeting the leaders of the National Amalgamated Stevedores and Dockers later this morning.
I feel sure that the House will agree with me that it would be most inadvisable for anything to be said at this stage which would prejudice the prospects of a settlement and I hope, therefore, that the House will not press me to comment further.
There is, in fact, a delegate conference of the union starting at this moment and I am not without hope.
§ Mr. GunterI am sure that the advice which the Minister gives to the House is good. I shall not offer any comment, but only express the hope that a deep sense of responsibility will be shown today in this matter by the trade unions, the employers and the Government.