§ Q3. Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether he will name the persons who have been bringing pressure to bear on the executive of the seamen's union; and what action he will take to deal with the problem.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the speeches I made in the House on the 28th of June.
§ Mr. LewisIs the Prime Minister aware that he gave the names in a very dramatic statement and my Question was put down before that? What action does he now propose to take? He has not answered the last part of my Question. Does he propose to allow this situation to develop in other unions? Is he prepared to take some action which will safeguard the A.E.U., for example, or any other union finding itself in the same position?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member is always capable of having a Question taken off the Order Paper when it has been out-dated by events. I made my statement and the House debated 665 that statement, and in fact the strike did end the following day despite the scepticism of hon. Members opposite on that point. In regard to the A.E.U., I think it would be abundantly capable of looking after its problems.
§ Mr. HeathCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us when he will be able to inform the House about his decision about the inquiry he undertook to consider in the last few minutes of his winding-up speech in the debate?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. I said in the last few minutes of the wind-up that we would consider it, but, as the right hon. Member will be aware, we have had one or other questions to consider in the last few days.
§ Mr. HeathHas the right hon. Gentleman any idea at all of when he will be able to give us the answer?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, but when I am ready to give an answer I certainly will.
§ Mr. LewisOn a point of order. Is it right for the Prime Minister to suggest that I am not capable of taking a Question off the Order Paper? [Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I have heard enough of the alleged point of order to know that it is not a point of order.