§ 3.48 p.m.
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, before the Lord Chancellor proceeds to move the Emergency Regulations which come next on the Order Paper, I feel sure that the House will wish me to communicate to them a statement on the present difficulties on the railways which is being made by my right honourable friend, the Minister of Labour, in another place. The statement is as follows.
35 "The House will no doubt expect me to let them know the position in the discussions which are going on in an effort to bring the railway strike to an end. As the House will know, in accordance with the normal conciliation procedure discussions continued for several days last week at the Ministry of Labour, and on Saturday I personally saw the representatives of the British Transport Commission and the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. The purpose of these discussions is to find a basis on which work can be resumed, so that direct negotiations can take place between the parties in a strike-free atmosphere. They have centred upon the Society's claim for an increase in the basic rates of locomotive staff and the proposals by the Commission for higher rewards for special skill and responsibility which were made public at the weekend.
"I have had a further meeting with both the Commission and the Society this morning and the talks are continuing later this afternoon, although there are still substantial difficulties in-the way of a settlement of the dispute. In these circumstances, I am sure the House will agree that it would be inappropriate for me to make any detailed statement, and that whilst the discussions are at this critical stage it would be undesirable to debate the matter on the Floor of the House."
In view of what my right honourable friend is saying in another place, I hope your Lordships will agree that it would be wiser for us, too, not to discuss this subject in your Lordships' House this afternoon. I am quite certain that there are many noble Lords in all parts of the House who might have constructive ideas which they would like to put before your Lordships on the problems which are raised by the present troubles, and no doubt an opportunity will occur for that at an early date; but, clearly, while the talks are still continuing in a delicate stage it would not be appropriate to ventilate these ideas at large. I feel certain, therefore, that the House, which is always so wise in these matters, will not rush in at this stage but will give an opportunity for those actively engaged in the talks to try to find a proper solution satisfactory to all concerned.
§ EARL JOWITTMy Lords, it is no doubt very hard that we shall have to tear up the carefully prepared notes of our "impromptu" speeches, but in view of what the noble Marquess the Leader of the House has said I have no doubt that we should be wrong today not to acquiesce in his views. I would only say that the time must arrive in the near future, in happier circumstances, when we shall have the right to debate this matter and to make then those constructive suggestions which we are not making to-day.
§ LORD LAYTONMy Lords, it is obvious that the course proposed is the right one; and on behalf of the Liberal Peers I should like to say that we shall fall in with it and shall take no further part in the discussion to-day. That does not mean, however, that we shall remain silent later.