§ Lord ROBERT CECILasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that certain ships have been lying for weeks in Tilbury Docks waiting to be unloaded; whether the delay, causing loss to the merchants with goods on board, is due to the reluctance of men to work in the docks owing to intimidation practised outside; and what steps the Government are taking in the matter?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question, I believe it is the case that ships have been lying in Tilbury Docks for some weeks waiting to unload. The delay is caused by the refusal to work of the men ordinarily employed in the docks, but their refusal to work is due, I am satisfied, mainly to a determination to carry on the strike. There has undoubtedly been some intimidation, but a large number of men are working under adequate police protection.