§ Mrs. Fennerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the annual cost of maintaining the National Dock Labour Board.
§ Mr. Mayhew: The most recent annual report of the National Dock Labour Board, which relates to the 12-month period to December 1978, shows that in that year the board spent £3.7 million in discharging its statutory functions. 134W The board's activities were financed by a levy on registered employers, except for the remuneration of the chairman and vice-chairman, which were paid by my Department and totalled £12,033.
§ Mrs. Fennerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the annual cost of maintaining the service of the National Dock Labour Board in the port of Rochester.
§ Mr. Mayhew: I have no information about the distribution of the board's expenses between individual ports. The rate of the board's administration levy in each port is currently 3½ per cent. of the gross wage bill in respect of registered dock workers.
§ Mrs. Fennerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set up an independent review of the structure and finance of the National Dock Labour Board.
§ Mr. Mayhew: Following its reconstitution in 1977, the National Dock Labour Board consists of an independent chairman, vice-chairman and four members appointed by my right hon. Friend after consultation with the Confederation of British Industry, Trades Union Congress and National Joint Council for the Port Transport Industry, as well as eight members appointed on the nomination of the National Joint Council. The board is required by clause 21(6) of the dock workers employment scheme 1967 and paragraph 12 of schedule 1 to the Dock Work Regulation Act 1976 to present an annual report and audited statement of account to the Secretary of State. I see no need for an independent review, but will consider any point my hon. Friend may wish to raise with me.
§ Mrs. Fennerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will seek to abolish the National Dock Labour Board.
§ Mr. Mayhew: No.