HC Deb 19 December 1979 vol 976 c275W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions troops have been used to perform civilian functions during industrial disputes in each year since 1945; and if he will specify what those functions were.

Mr. Hayhoe

From the records readily available, Service personnel have been used to perform civilian functions during industrial disputes on the following occasions since 1945:

1946 Docks strike.
1947 Coal transport strike.
1948 Docks strike (Glasgow);
Porters' strike (Smithfield).
1949 Docks strike (Liverpool, Bristol, Avonmouth);
Power workers' strike (London).
1950 Docks strike (London);
Porters' strike (Smithfield);
Gas industry strike (London).
1953 Oil distributors' strike (London).
1960 Seamen's strike.
1970 Local council refuse workers' strike (Tower Hamlets).
1972 Docks strike.
1973 Firemen's strike (Glasgow).
1975 Local council refuse workers' strike (Glasgow).
1977 Firemen's strike;
Air traffic controllers assistants' strike.
1979 Oil tanker drivers' strike (N. Ireland).
1979 Ambulance drivers' strike.

The Service role was to maintain those supplies and services essential to the life of the community.

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