§ Mr. John Huntasked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the number and duration of the stoppages which have occurred in the printing of parliamentary papers in each of the past five years, specifying the trade unions or staff associations involved in each dispute.
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§ Mr. ChannonI am told that interruptions in the supply of printed parliamentary papers as a result of trade disputes in the last five years have been as follows
1974Parliamentary papers for the period 20 June to 25 June were delayed as a result of a strike by the National Graphical Association—NGA—throughout the printing presses of HMSO over the annual pay review. A total of 213 of the members of NGA involved were employed at St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press—SSPP.1975Papers for the period 10 March to 21 March were not delivered on the House because of a strike by the industrial staff of the Property Services Agency. The printing unions were not directly involved but HMSO van drivers—members of the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades (SOGAT)—would not cross the picket line at Westminster.1976Papers for the period 9 March to 16 March were not delivered to the House because of a strike by van drivers in HMSO over duties. The number of drivers, all members of SOGAT, was 57.1977The Official Report for 14 January was delayed due to a dispute regarding overtime in the composing room at SSPP. The 60 men involved were members of NGA. During the period 5 May to 18 May a dispute regarding overtime in the machine room at SSPP led to a strike by members of NGA and the National Society of Operative Printers and Media Personnel—NATSOPA. Total numbers involved were 240.1978During March and April the supply of papers was intermittently interrupted as a result of a dispute regarding overtime in the machine room at SSPP. A total of 40 members of NGA were involved.On 11 July reaction to disciplinary letters disrupted production for one night. The 40 composing staff concerned were members of NGA.During the period 1st November to 17 November the House received papers as usual, but the distribution of certain material was delayed as a result of a strike over the closure of a bindery in Cornwall House. The number on strike at Cornwall House was 164, all members of SOGAT.1979During the period 7 February to 23 March an overtime ban by certain machine managers at SSPP caused intermittent delays to papers. The staff, all members of NGA, numbered 19.From 18 June an overtime ban by the overseers at SSPP has prevented completion of printed Parliamentary papers. The staff, all members of the Institution of Professional Civil Servants—IPCS—numbered 40.