§ 49. Mr. Patrick McNair-Wilsonasked the Minister of Power if he will take steps to ensure that unofficial strikes in the gas industry do not create a situation in which life and property are endangered.
§ Mr. FreesonStrikes at gas works are very rare and are, in the first instance, best left to the good sense of the Gas Boards, employees and trade unions to settle or avoid.
§ Mr. McNair-WilsonDoes not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that it is intolerable that the people of this country should be endangered by unofficial strikes, and when will his Government publish a Bill to deal with this matter?
§ Mr. FreesonMay I suggest that the hon. Gentleman puts down his Question to the appropriate Minister, and contains his simulated indignation on the matter.
§ Mr. ThorpeIs the Minister aware that gas workers who come out on strike are in law guilty of a criminal offence? In view of his reply, with which I wholly agree, does not this show how ridiculous it is to impose penal provisions against those who come out on strike?
§ Mr. RidleyDoes the Parliamentary Secretary think that a compulsory cooling-off period would be appropriate to the gas industry and, if so, will he say whether it will be brought in?