§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will make a statement on her decision to appoint a Court of Inquiry into the Pilkington glassworkers' dispute; what are the terms of reference of the inquiry; and whether these will allow the Committee of Inquiry to recommend an increase of 35 per cent. in the basic salaries of these workers.
§ Mr. Harold Walker:An unofficial stoppage of work affecting process workers at most of the company's plants began on 3rd April. Despite a general pay increase subsequently negotiated for 452W process workers, the setting up of joint working parties to review the company's pay structure and negotiating arrangements and a return to work elsewhere, work has not been resumed at the St. Helens plants, which employ some 8.500 process workers. There have been indications of increasing tension between strikers and those who wish to return to work. My right hon. Friend has therefore set up a court of inquiry with the following terms of reference:
To inquire into the causes and circumstances of the dispute between Pilkington Brothers, Limited (and subsidiaries of that company) and certain of their employees, and of the strike which has caused stoppages of work at certain of the company's plants, and to report.The court will open its hearings in Liverpool on 19th May.