Road Haulage (Scotland)

HC Deb 05 November 1974 vol 880 cc864-7

4. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set up a commission of inquiry into the conditions of employment in the road haulage industry in Scotland.

Mr. Booth

I have had no representations for such an inquiry from either side of the industry but would be prepared to consider any proposals they might have. I understand, however, that the workpeople's side of the Road Haulage Wages Council suggested at a recent meeting that the conciliation and arbitration service might assist in a review of negotiating arrangements in the industry.

Mr. Dalyell

On the basis that a wise man mends his roof during a lull in the storm, is there not a case for looking at conditions in the industry, as requested by, among others, Mr. Alec Kitson of the Transport and General Workers' Union?

Mr. Booth

I understand that in the agreement which ended the Scottish dispute the union and the employers agreed to set up a joint working party with the assistance of the Conciliation and Arbitration Service to consider relevant problems associated with the terms and conditions of employment in the road haulage industry in Scotland, including the development of a procedural agreement.

Mr. Rifkind

Is the Minister aware of the anger and astonishment of the public in Scotland at the refusal of the Secretary of State or any Minister to come to Scotland to use his influence during the dispute? Will the hon. Gentleman explain why they refused and tell the House whether the Minister and his Department believe that their influence is so small that such a visit would not have been worth while?

Mr. Booth

The reason why Ministers refused to intervene was that they were fully satisfied that the conciliation and arbitration service was working effectively and efficiently and that such interference might have impaired the chances of an early settlement.

Mrs. Winifred Ewing

Does not the Minister agree that there was a state of emergency in Scotland? As there was no shortage of Front Bench spokesmen to visit Scotland during the election when they were looking for votes, is it not odd that no one could spare the time to come during the dispute? Surely a visit by a Minister cannot do any harm. Does not the Minister agree that such a visit was regarded by the Scottish people as necessary in an attempt to help?

Mr. Booth

I welcome the assurance that the hon. Lady regards none of the visits of my colleagues to Scotland as harmful. In this instance a visit by a Minister would have given the impression that we intended to intervene in the settlement. We were not prepared to do so at that stage for reasons I have previously stated.

15. Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many officials of the Conciliation and Arbitration Service were involved in the Scottish road haulage dispute.

Mr. Booth

The independent Conciliation and Arbitration Service is alone responsible for the deployment of its staff but I understand that two officers, supported by colleagues in Glasgow and head office were directly involved in all stages of the dispute and worked unstintingly to assist the parties to reach a settlement.

Mr. Sillars

Will my hon. Friend place on record the appreciation of many people in the trade union movement in Scotland for the work done by these officers? Is he aware that this was an all-Scottish affair—Scottish workers versus Scottish employers? Is he not also aware that this makes absurd the charge by the Scottish National Party that what Scottish workers have to fear is exploitation by the English working class? Will he take careful note of the fact that perhaps in the next 12 months the next dispute in Scotland will be the lower-paid Scottish shop workers against Sir Hugh Fraser?

Mr. Booth

I very much appreciate what my hon. Friend says—I refer to his earlier remarks—and I will convey it to the CAS people concerned. I hope that the dispute he forecasts does not take place, but in the unhappy event of his prophecy proving correct I am sure that the CAS will do its utmost in that case as well.

Mr. Monro

While one appreciates what the CAS is doing in Scotland, may I ask whether the Minister appreciates that chaos is presently affecting Scotland? Is he aware that there are no buses and trains in Glasgow, that the Clyde is like a sewer and that pickets are stopping factories producing? When will he go to Scotland to deal with the situation?

Mr. Booth

I am aware of the number of disputes, including those which the hon. Member mentions. The CAS was involved in the negotiations which led to the resolution of the dispute between Glasgow Corporation and its transport employees and those which led to the return to work of the refuse workers. The sewerage workers have been urged by their unions to await the outcome of the current national negotiations. I am sure that the CAS continues ready to give any assistance that it can in the Rolls-Royce and Hoover disputes.