§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on the present dispute affecting the printing of the Parliamentary Papers; and what discussions he has had with the National Graphical Association.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisThe dispute affecting the printing of Parliamentary Papers involves the NGA and NATSOPA machine room staff at the Parliamentary Press. The origin of the stoppage was a dispute on 5th May over flexibility of staff working on machines producing theLondon Gazette. Consequent production delays led to a fresh argument about 563W overtime levels associated with the day's production. Failure to resolve the overtime question has resulted in a complete stoppage of work by the NGA and NATSOPA machine room staff from early on in the night shift of 5th May.
Officials of Her Majesty's Stationery Office have been in frequent contact with officials of the two unions from the outset. Lengthy discussions have been held at chapel and branch level. National officials of the unions have been involved, and a further meeting with national officers of the unions has been arranged for Friday 13th May. I have also personally received representations from a number of those concerned.