HC Deb 22 June 1967 vol 748 cc1954-6
Mr. Edward M. Taylor

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Transport if she will make a statement on the present situation in the London Rail Freight Depots.

The Minister of Transport (Mrs. Barbara Castle)

As regards the industrial dispute, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on Monday, 19th June, 1967.—[Vol. 748, col. 183.]

I hope that hon. Members will not press questions on this—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"]—and so possibly render more difficult the already delicate industrial relations matters with which the Board is dealing. I am, of course, being fully informed of developments.

The Government are keeping a close watch on the effect of the present industrial action on food and other supplies and will do whatever is necessary to mitigate its effects. There is at present some inconvenience, which the Railways Board and I regret, but there is no immediate problem in ensuring the supply of food for the London area.

The Board has, of course, had to refuse to accept perishable traffic, which because of the industrial action it cannot handle, despite the unfortunate effects that the loss of this traffic may have on railway revenues and employment both now and in the future.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

Would the Minister agree that at the root of this pointless strike, which is serving only to damage the prospects of railwaymen's jobs and drive traffic away from the railways, there is a vital principle? Can the right hon. Lady give a categorical assurance that there will be no sell-out on the principle of free enterprise participation in this terminal operation in fact of what is largely unofficial and Luddite pressure?

Mrs. Castle

I made my position perfectly clear in my reply to the hon. Member's Question on Monday, and I do not intend to add to it.

Mr. Murray

Without prejudicing my right hon. Friend's request that this matter should not be pressed, may I ask whether she has made any arrangements to meet the executive of the N.U.R. at an early date?

Mrs. Castle

No, Sir. The Railways Board is handling this matter and it is right that we should give it a full opportunity to do so.

Mr. Peter Walker

Is the right hon. Lady aware that we on this side have considerable confidence in the ability of Mr. Len Neal, who is negotiating for British Railways, for his experience both as a trade unionist and in productivity agreements? Would the right hon. Lady confirm her support of his statement that collaboration with the forwarding agents—not competition—is the way for this terminal to succeed?

Secondly, is the Minister taking measures to ensure that if the strike spreads on a national basis, essential supplies will be safeguarded?

Mrs. Castle

I entirely share the hon. Gentleman's confidence in Mr. Len Neal. That is why I suggest to the House that we leave him to get on with his job. I made my own position clear in reply to the question of the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor) on Monday.

In reply to the last part of the question, the Government are, of course, watching the situation carefully and would take any necessary steps to safeguard essential supplies.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the workers at Stratford feel very bitter, because some who have given 30, 40 or 50 years of hard work and endeavour in loyal service to the railways found that their livelihoods were being taken away overnight, and that they are rather suspicious of having their new jobs taken away if the scheme is forced through? The railway workers are getting a bit fed up with always having to play the tune.

Mrs. Castle

I have always had, and I have always made clear, full sympathy with railwaymen's anxiety about their future. That is why, in the whole of my policy towards the railways, I have gone further than anyone has ever gone before in offering security and stability to railway workers as far as is possible in a developing and changing situation. The position at Stratford is not quite as my hon. Friend puts it. The 35 men directly affected by the transfer from the old depots to the new have been offered jobs either in Stratford or in the immediate vicinity.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Mr. Heath. Business Question.