HC Deb 14 February 1973 vol 850 cc1279-80
29. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding the report which he received from the National Ports Council arising from the meeting which the Council had on 29th November 1972 with the management and union representatives of Bambergers Ltd.

Mr. Peyton

Members of the National Ports Council met representatives of Bambergers Ltd. and others during their survey of non-scheme ports and wharves. I received the council's report on the survey on 31st January and will make a statement as soon as possible.

Mr. Johnson

Will the right hon. Gentleman be a little more forthcoming and answer a perfectly fair question? I thank him for what he has said. Can he confirm or deny that this firm will be forced to employ registered dock labour? If it is, will General and Municipal workers be able to qualify and continue their jobs?

Mr. Peyton

All I can say at the moment—and I repeat this for the hon. Gentleman—is that the question of the extension of the national dock labour scheme to cover the small ports and wharves was not within the remit of the National Ports Council inquiry.