HC Deb 19 June 1967 vol 748 cc1099-100
14. Mr. Heffer

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what action is contemplated by his Department in relation to contracts with Messrs. Bernard Sunley and Son Limited, in view of the statement by the contracts director of Bernard Sunleys that his company, by provoking a strike at the site at Horse-ferry Road, Westminster, put the contract further behind schedule.

Mr. Prentice

I cannot anticipate the findings of the court of inquiry set up by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, which is inquiring into the disputes at the Barbican and Horseferry Road sites.

Mr. Heffer

Without in any way anticipating the inquiry—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—is it not deplorable that a firm should go to the lengths of provoking a dispute on the job, despite any militancy that there might be on the job? Is my right hon. Friend not aware that militancy arises in the building industry precisely because of the bad working conditions that usually apply on the various sites?

Mr. Prentice

I certainly want to see working conditions on building sites improved. As to the particular case, I must repeat that I had better not make any comment until the court of inquiry has reported.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the results of the inquiry are likely to be available, and—without anticipating the results of the inquiry—would he not agree that this site is a national disgrace, whoever is to blame, with all this valuable equipment, cranes worth tens of thousands of pounds, sitting on top of this building doing absolutely nothing, when the building industry is lacking equipment?

Mr. Prentice

I am sorry, but I am still not going to make comments. As to the timing, the court of inquiry completed its hearing of evidence on 12th June. I cannot say exactly when its report will be available. Obviously my right hon. Friend and I will want to see it as soon as practicable.