§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, before the Committee resumes may I be permitted to make a brief statement on the docks issue which is being made by my right honourable friend the Minister of Labour this afternoon? It is as follows. Talks took place in the Ministry of Labour this morning with representatives of the National Amalgamated Stevedores and Dockers and of the Port Employers in London. Some progress was made, and certain proposals were formulated. The General Secretary of the National Amalgamated Stevedores and Dockers has taken these proposals to his Executive which meets this afternoon. I am not able to make any further statement at the present moment, but I will inform the House, if your Lordships' House is meeting, as soon as there is more to report.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for that statement, which we hope will be the forerunner of other more pleasurable reports.