HL Deb 20 May 1970 vol 310 cc1048-9
LORD STRANGE

My Lords, I beg leave 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 are aware of any subversive influences that have been introduced into the Pilkington Glass dispute.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF TECHNOLOGY (LORD DELACOURT-SMITH)

My Lords, as the House will be aware, the First Secretary has appointed a Court of Inquiry to investigate the background and conduct of the dispute and of the issues involved at Pilkington Brothers, Limited. The first sitting of the Court took place on Tuesday, May, 19, 1970, and further hearings have been arranged. I feel sure that your Lordships will understand that in these circumstances it would not be proper for me to comment on the conduct of the dispute.

LORD STRANGE

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for his very informative reply. Does he remember the maiden speech of the noble Lord, Lord Stokes, who warned Her Majesty's Government that infiltration was taking place between official unions and management? If I may remind the noble Lord, he made this warning on a very auspicious date for disclosing plots against the Government—November 5.

LORD DELACOURT-SMITH

My Lords, it is not unusual for outside bodies and individuals, for a wide variety of reasons, to seek to involve themselves in major disputes. But in the light of circumstances Which I set out in my original reply I should not wish to be drawn into expressing any opinion on the present dispute.

LORD STRANGE

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. I was going to say that your Lordships were warned, and to ask why the Government did nothing about it, but I do not think this is an appropriate moment to shoot at Her Majesty's Government.

LORD GRANVILLE OF EYE

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether the Court of Inquiry will take into consideration the activities of the Press and some of the reports on the dispute that have appeared in the national Press?

LORD DELACOURT-SMITH

My Lords, the Court of Inquiry will take into account everything the Court thinks to be relevant to the dispute within its terms of reference, and will be very glad to take any evidence from anyone who has information to offer.