§ Mr. Awberyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps are being taken to bring about a settlement of the industrial dispute at the Naval Base at Singapore; how far the normal negotiating machinery has been used; and why arbitration has not been resorted to.
§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyThe strike was called by the Naval Base Labour Union in protest against the removal of two families from Admiralty accommodation in the base. The heads of these families had ceased to be eligible for residence there when they left the employ of the Admiralty in October, 1955. Deferments were given in November and December pending consideration of representations by the union. In the end the union agreed that final notice should be given on 2nd January to expire on 16th January, 1956. On that day the families refused to quit and so were evicted. After eviction had commenced a letter was received from the union asking for still further deferment but producing no new information.
The matter had therefore been fully discussed with the Naval Base Labour Union and agreement with them had been reached on the issue in dispute, which was not a suitable one for reference to arbitration. I am glad to say that the strike has now been called off and that the men will return to work tomorrow morning.