HL Deb 13 July 1955 vol 193 cc666-7

2.38 p.m.

LORD AMMON

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will state the names of the members of tie Committee of Inquiry into the working of the National Dock Labour Scheme; the terms of reference; the date when the Inquiry will commence; and whether it will be held in public.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (LORD CARRINGTON)

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Minister of Labour regrets that he has not been in a position to make a statement, but hopes to do so before Parliament rises for the Summer Recess.

LORD AMMON

But this matter was settled as long ago as last autumn. It is of great importance that an Inquiry of this sort should proceed as quickly as possible, especially when the House has agreed that the Inquiry be made.

LORD CARRINGTON

The House rises for the Summer Recess on July 28, which is in about a fortnight's time, so the noble Lord will not have long to wait before he hears the statement of my right honourable friend. The announcement that there was to be an Inquiry was made only at the end of April, and, in all the circumstances, in view of what has happened in the docks since, it was thought inappropriate to announce at that particular moment that an Inquiry was going to take place.

LORD AMMON

But surely the announcement did not arise out of what has happened recently. This matter has gone on for a long time, and what happened recently ought to have accelerated the rate of inquiry.

LORD CARRINGTON

The point is that my right honourable friend did not think it appropriate to set up a Committee to investigate the general question of the docks while a particular issue was in dispute.