HC Deb 12 July 1967 vol 750 cc818-21

Mr. Dalyell (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now intervene in the dispute between the Scottish Daily Newspapers Society and the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades which has brought to a halt the publication of daily newspapers in Scotland.

The Minister of Labour (Mr. R. J. Gunter)

The Scottish Daily Newspapers Society reported this dispute to my Ministry on 10th July and officers of the Ministry have since been in touch with representatives of the Society and of the union concerned to seek information.

I have received no request for intervention and am not proposing to intervene at present. I will, of course, keep in close touch with developments.

Mr. Dalyell

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many people in Scotland, both inside and outside the newspaper industry, are extremely concerned about the vulnerable future of at least four famous Scottish newspapers lest they should go the way of the News-Chronicle? Would he consider intervening with a view to asking both sides to get together and return to work, after which negotiations should take place? Would he—

Mr. Speaker

Order. A Private Notice Question is an ordinary question and supplementaries must be brief.

Mr. Gunter

I am aware of the vulnerability of newspapers in Scotland and in parts of England, but it must be remembered by my hon. Friend that this is an unofficial dispute and that I have not been asked to intervene.

The general secretary of the union concerned is quoted in the Evening Standard of 11th July as saying that the strike would not be made official, but that the union was very sympathetic. It was a dispute between men and management and the union was not involved and would not, therefore, be taking part in talks at the Ministry of Labour.

Mr. G. Campbell

Is the right hon. Gentleman sure that the strike is entirely unofficial? Will he say whether the interruption today of supplies of newspapers to Scotland from England is a legitimate practice, in the circumstances?

Mr. Gunter

I would not have counted it legitimate. That action was as unofficial as the original strike.

Sir M. Galpern

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any notices of dismissal have been sent, or are likely to be sent, to the members of the reporting and other staffs of the newspapers involved?

Mr. Gunter

I understand that the Scottish Daily Newspapers Society has sent telegrams to the general secretaries of the four unions concerned to inform them that unless the staff resume normal working by the night of 12th July protective notices will be issued to other workers tomorrow, that is, 13th July. The telegram also says that the society will continue discussions on the wage increases only when normal working is resumed.

Mr. David Steel

Will the right hon. Gentleman represent to his right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General that while Scotland is receiving no newspapers there is grave dissatisfaction with the B.B.C. for not producing an extended Scottish news coverage?

Mr. Gunter

That may be desirable, but I will certainly draw the attention of my right hon. Friend to what the hon. Gentleman has said.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Can the Minister explain why this dispute has broken out in Scotland? Is it another case of Scottish wages and conditions being worse than those in England?

Mr. Gunter

I could not answer the last part of that question, but, of course, negotiations in Scotland are separate and it was the failure of the negotiations to arrive at conclusions in Scotland which resulted in the strike.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

While we know that the Minister will do his best to intervene if that is over, may I ask whether he can give us an assurance that when the strike is over he will do what he can to investigate the negotiating machinery within the whole industry, for it appears to be unsatisfactory when a small number of men can put the jobs of so many in jeopardy?

Mr. Gunter

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I have been trying to investigate the negotiating machinery in the newspaper world for a very long time. It still has its mysteries for me, but I will continue my efforts.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Does the Minister realise the very great damage which this strike is inflicting on the trade, industry and commerce of Scotland and that this replies so far today give no indication of a serious effort to settle the strike? Will he adumbrate a more constructive way in which to settle the strike and bring the parties together?

Mr. Gunter

I am not aware of any deep economic reprecussions of a newspaper strike which is about two days old, but I will certainly use what ability I have when the moment is opportune.

Mr. R. Carr

Does the Minister agree with the editorial in The Times this morning that cases like this represent the law of the jungle rather than orderly collective bargaining? Do not cases like this underline the need for reform of the fundamental legal framework of industrial relations rather than concentrating or a prices and incomes policy?

Mr. Gunter

The right hon. Gentleman is less than his usual fair self. It was because of what he describes as the juairle or tangle, which is always involved in negotiations of this sort, that we have established the Royal Commission whose report I hope will be with us before the en1 of the year.