§ 2.47 p.m.
§ Lord Taylor of Blackburn asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ How they intend to dispose of the assets of the National Dock Labour Board.
§ The Earl of Strathmore and KinghorneMy Lords, the assets of the National Dock Labour Board are being disposed of by the board in accordance with Section 2 of the Dock Work Act 1989.
§ Lord Taylor of BlackburnMy Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply, but will he explain to the House what Section 2 of the Dock Work Act consists of and whether we are getting value for money for the sale of these assets?
§ The Earl of Strathmore and KinghorneMy Lords, Section 2 imposes a duty on the National Dock Labour Board to wind up its affairs in a quick and orderly fashion and to comply with the directions of the Secretary of State. It allows the board to dispose of its assets at less than market value or for nothing with the permission of the Secretary of State and the Treasury. It provides for the board to be dissolved on a date specified by the Secretary of State and for the board's assets and outstanding liabilities to be transferred on that date.
With regard to the second point, all freehold and leasehold properties are being sold at full market value. The exceptions are the dock workers' clubs which are being sold at 50 per cent. of market value.
§ Lord MellishMy Lords, does the noble Earl recognise that one government introduced the dock labour scheme but another government utterly and completely destroyed it without any tangible reason that one could understand? Pressures from certain Members of this House were instrumental in destroying the scheme. Can the Minister give the House some idea of how much the assets are worth? Does he know?
§ The Earl of Strathmore and KinghorneYes, my Lords. The properties are currently worth about £6 million.
§ Lord Orr-EwingMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that the generous settlement with the dockers who received redundancy of up to £35,000 has paid off? A number of dockers have gone to Southampton and are now operating a rival scheme which is much more efficient than the scheme operating there normally.
§ The Earl of Strathmore and KinghorneMy Lords, I agree with my noble friend. In Southampton, 325 workers have each pledged £10,000 of their compensation money to a new co-operative company—the Southampton Cargo Handling Company—which will service ships in the eastern and western docks.
§ Lord Boyd-CarpenterMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that the observations of the noble Lord, Lord Mellish, attributing a degree of credit for getting rid of this obsolete organisation to a number of Members in your Lordships' House, is deeply appreciated?
§ The Earl of Strathmore and KinghorneMy Lords, I note what my noble friend says.