Stoppages of Work

HC Deb 22 May 1969 vol 784 cc651-2

33. Mr. J. H. Osborn

askd the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many working days per 1,000 employees have been lost to date this year due to official or unofficial stoppages; how this figure compares with that for the previous year over the same period: and how the average to date compares with the average of previous years.

Mr. Hattersley

Seventy eight working days were lost per 1,000 employees in the United Kingdom through official and unofficial stoppages of work due to industrial disputes in the period 1st January to 30th April, 1969. This figure compares with 43 for the corresponding period in 1968. During the previous 10 years the figure ranged from 13.21 in 1963 to 188.13 in 1962 giving an average of 52 for the whole period.

Mr. Osborn

Am I right in assuming that at present the rate of stoppages is among the highest in the history of this nation? Does this not justify the action of the Minister?

Mr. Hattersley

It depends upon what sort of average we take to describe the highest rate. I tried to say in my original Answer that this is about one-third of the 1962 rate.

Mr. Heffer

Is it not true that the whole question of unofficial strikes has been grossly exaggerated in this country? Is it not true that the highest level in the period under discussion was reached under the Conservative Government in 1962? Would my hon. Friend consider once again the views expressed by Professor H. A. Turner in his recent publication, which conclusively proved beyond doubt that we are being forced into an impossible and unsatisfactory situation?

Mr. Hattersley

Irrespective of various opinions as to the importance of the damage caused by unofficial strikes to the economy, I am sure the House agrees that many unofficial strikes do irreparable damage both to the country and to other workers affected by them, put on short time or laid off. It is less important to make a precise quantification of the days lost than it is to make sure that my right hon. Friend has the opportunity to do what she can to bring unnecessary unofficial strikes to an end.