§ 20. Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for Employment what consultations he had had regarding the extension of worker participation in the ports industry.
§ Mr. BoothMy right hon. Friend has received many representations from both sides of industry about the Government's commitment to ensure that the coverage of the Dockworkers' Employment Scheme is appropriate to modern conditions. He will shortly be issuing detailed proposals about implementation.
§ Mr. DodsworthI am grateful for that reply. Before the Minister concludes his consultations, will he pay particular attention to the excellent labour relations which have existed and do exist in some privately-owned and operated ports which have been productive without statutory enforcement?
§ Mr. BoothBefore publishing our detailed proposals we shall take careful account of representations made to us by many sectors concerned with dock work, including those from the private ports which have included references to industrial relations at those ports.
§ Mr. LeadbitterWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that we are currently discussing the earliest possible implementation of public ownership of the ports in the United Kingdom? As we are intent on pursuing a large element of worker participation in those proposals, we look forward to Conservative Members, particularly the hon. Member for Hertfordshire, South-West (Mr. Dodsworth), supporting us when the proposals come forward.
§ Mr. BoothThe public ownership of ports and port reorganisation are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. In so far as these matters affect industrial democracy in that area, the Department of Employment has a continuing interest and will welcome any developments which port reorganisation may bring about.
§ Mr. HayhoeAre not industrial relations in the private ports much better than in the other ports?
§ Mr. BoothOur investigations into the whole industrial relations situation does not lead us to that conclusion.