§ 53. Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a strike has arisen concerning the duties of guards on the Liverpool—Southport Railway; and what action is being taken by his conciliation officers.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI understand that an unofficial stoppage of work by guards took place because a porter-guard refused to perform duties as a guard in consequence of a ban by the guards at Southport on the working of up-graded duties and overtime. This ban was imposed in connection with the refusal of the guards to help with the collection of tickets. The stoppage has terminated and, as there is adequate machinery within the industry for dealing with the remaining ticket collecting difficulty, there is no question of intervention by officers of my Department.