§ 1. Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the offshore oil construction workers' dispute in so far as it affects oil production and safe working on platforms.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Energy (Dr. J. Dickson Mabon)This is 2 a very brief answer Mr. Speaker. I understand that the unofficial industrial action by offshore oil construction workers has so far had virtually no effect on oil production. It has not yet affected safe working on the platforms.
§ Mr. WilsonDoes the Minister realise that, while pay is a not unimportant consideration in this dispute, the workers are, nevertheless, concerned at the long hours which they have to work and their conditions of work? Will he take action to secure some form of package that will enable this strike to be settled?
§ Dr. MabonI agree with that. If the workers were to take the advice of their trade union officials, both local and national, they would return to work and allow negotiations to continue, and I think that if they did that they would find a favourable response from the employers.
§ Mr. GrayIs the Minister of State aware that on 26 January his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy met some of the striking shop stewards? Does he agree that that was an act of unmitigated irresponsibility, as the strike is unofficial? Was not the Secretary of State in danger of undermining the authority of the official union view?
§ Dr. MabonOn the contrary. Not only did my right hon. Friend do that, but I myself, at the invitation of some of my constituents, met the shop stewards, some of whom were my constituents. I urged them to do exactly what I have said in 3 my reply to the question, that is, to observe the recommendation of their local and national officials to return to work so that fruitful negotiations could continue.