HC Deb 25 March 1968 vol 761 cc911-4
Mr. Tilney (by Private Notice)

asked the Minister of Labour, what steps he is taking following the telegrams sent to him on 21st March by the Merseyside Chamber of Commerce to end the unofficial strikes on Merseyside of approximately 10,000 bus drivers and transport drivers which are gravely affecting the life and livelihood of the people in the area, and what steps he has taken to safeguard essential services.

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

Liverpool Corporation busmen have been on strike since 11th March and there has been a strike of road haulage workers in the area since 18th March. As a result, inconvenience has been caused to the travelling public; there have been difficulties in the distribution of certain foodstuffs; the flow of goods to and from the docks is being affected; and there has been some interruption of supplies to industry.

Both strikes are unofficial and the unions concerned have urged the men to return to work.

The House will be aware that the latest pay settlement covering Liverpool busmen has been referred to the Prices and Incomes Board. In the case of the road haulage strike, there have been local discussions between the employers and the union, and I understand that at the national level the unions are having meetings in the near future with British Road Services and also with the Road Haulage Association.

In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to attempt to intervene between the two sides in either of these disputes. I would, however, urge the men on strike to follow the advice of their unions and return to work. My Department is in close touch with the unions and the employers' organisations concerned and I will, of course, continue to watch the situation carefully. The House may be assured that the Government will take action to safeguard essential supplies and services, should that become necessary.

Mr. Tilney

May I ask the Minister three questions? Following his appeal to the unofficial strikers to return to work, could he say what chance there is of any productivity agreement with them? Secondly, what discussions has he had with the main union concerned and with others about reported threats of violence to non-strikers? Thirdly, whether he is satisfied that other commodities needed by the public on Merseyside will not go the way of sugar and be unobtainable?

Mr. Gunter

On the middle part of that question, may I say immediately that I have no knowledge of threats of this kind. I have no doubt that harsh words are being said, but there has been nothing official said to me about it. On the question of other commodities, I have already said that we shall be keeping a very close watch and any necessary action will be taken if the need arises. I do not think it has quite arisen yet, and I hope the hon. Gentleman will agree with me. On the question of productivity, they have the chance now to sit down and start to talk about productivity, and that is what the unions are telling them they ought to do and I hope they will do it.

Mr. Heffer

In view of the fact that the bus drivers' strike originally arose out of their claim going to the Prices and Incomes Board, could my right hon. Friend indicate whether some pressure could be applied to Mr. Aubrey Jones and his Board to get an early decision in relation to this particular claim? Secondly, could my right hon. Friend not reconsider the proposition which have put to him already of sending someone of the calibre of Sir Jack Scamp to Merseyside immediately to get some sort of investigation and inquiry into the whole position of industrial problems on Merseyside?

Mr. Gunter

In the first place, I have an assurance from the Chairman of the Prices and Incomes Board that this matter is receiving most urgent attention and he will submit his report as early as possible. On the question of sending somebody there, what I am being asked to do is in effect to conciliate or have another inquiry. How can I conciliate in an unofficial strike of this character, and how can I have another inquiry when is has been referred to the Prices and Incomes Board? I think it could only end in complete confusion.

Mr. R. Carr

Does not this serious strike i n breach of agreement underline yet once again how important it is that agreements should be made binding in this country as they are in every other industrial country, except Britain?

Mr. Gunter

I am not sure whether the hon. Member is stating exactly Opposition policy. If so, that is all right with me. But there is an honest difference of opinion amongst Conservative lawyers and among Labour lawyers and a lot of other lawyers whether in the end we can make collective agreements binding.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

To return to the question of essential supplies, is the Minister aware that there was a really grave shortage of sugar on Merseyside this weekend, and that there is talk of a threat to fuel oil supplies? Will he really move quickly in these matters?

Mr. Gunter

I can tell the right hon. and learned Gentleman that I understand there is a report awaiting me at the Ministry of what has happened today.

Mr. Fortescue

Would the Minister completely agree that the busmen's strike, which started and is taking place through consideration of their claim by the Prices and Incomes Board, is direct evidence of the ineffectiveness of the Government's incomes policy?

Mr. Gunter

If the hon. Member is saying that a policy is ineffective because men challenge it by unofficial action, I think he is barking up the wrong tree.

Mr. Fletcher-Cooke

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the effects of the transport drivers' strike go far beyond Merseyside and that supplies of sugar and other foodstuffs are very short in the whole of Lancashire?

Mr. Gunter

Yes, I have had reports this morning to that effect.