§ 35. Mr. Millanasked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to help bring about a resumption of work at the Linthouse shipyard of Alex Stephens and Son, Limited, where 2,700 men have been suspended because of an industrial dispute.
§ 46. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Labour if he has taken note of the trade dispute as Messrs. Stephens shipyard in the division of the honourable Member for Govan, and the large-scale suspension of workers which has ensued; if he will inquire into the causes of the dispute; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HareMy officers have had discussions with representatives of the Electrical Trades Union and the Clyde Shipbuilders Association to see whether there is any scope for them to help bring about a settlement. The general Secretary of the union has told me that the executive of the union has now instructed its members on unofficial strike to return to work so that their claims can be dealt with through the proper channels. My officers will continue to hold themselves available to help.
§ Mr. MillanWould the right hon. Gentleman, apart from having discussions with the Electrical Trades Union, keep in mind that there are 2,700 men not in dispute with their employers who have been suspended? Will he use his good offices to try to get these men back to work?
§ Mr. HareI will look into the point mentioned by the hon. Gentleman. The whole problem is that the men affected in this unofficial dispute are holding up production, and I am sure the hon. Gentleman would agree that it would be quite wrong for me to try to interfere in an unofficial strike when the official union leaders have asked the men to go back to work.
§ Mr. MillanI am not asking the right hon. Gentleman to intervene in an unofficial strike. Does he not see the point? I am suggesting that he might intervene with regard to the very much larger number of men who are not on strike but have been suspended for a fortnight and, if the deadlock is not broken, look as if they may be suspended for very much longer?