§ 21. Mr. John Pageasked the Minister of Labour what steps he has taken, or proposes to take, to intervene in the demarcation dispute between the Amalgamated Engineering Union and the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation about whose members should man new machines at the Crosby steelworks, which have given rise to a trade dispute and which is threatening the secret project Champion for producing stainless steel tubes.
§ Mr. GunterI have appointed a court of inquiry to inquire into the causes and circumstances of this dispute. The men on strike resumed work on 9th February.
§ Mr. PageIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many people feel that this is the small tip of a restrictive practices iceberg and want a much stronger lead and statement from the Government on the whole matter of demarcation disputes?
§ Mr. GunterI do not think that it is quite fair to say that this is entirely allied to restrictive practices. This is one of the consequences we shall have to meet in many industries when new types of machines are introduced and old skills are disappearing.
§ Mr. TinnWill my right hon. Friend confirm that the iron and steel trade unions have been among the best in the country in their readiness to accept new methods and to avoid disputes?
§ Mr. GunterYes, Sir, I would agree with that.
§ Sir K. JosephIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. John Page) was referring not to restrictive practices but to demarcation disputes? Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the men who have resumed work are using the new machinery at issue? Can he also say whether he is considering asking the Royal Commission on the Law of Trade Unions to accept as much evidence as can be made available about this particularly unfortunate dispute, so that it may have adequate material on which to make judgment on demarcation disputes?
§ Mr. GunterWhilst the Court of Inquiry is sitting, the machines in dispute are not being used. I will ensure that Lord Donovan has all the information.