§ Mr. CARR-GOMMasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists in the Port of London owing to the forfeiture of one 1033W week's wages by the Port of London Authority consequent upon the recent dock strike, and that complaints have been made of the fact that some of those wages are stated to be owing for piece work; whether any correspondence has been received by the Board of Trade on this subject or has taken place between the Hoard of Trade and the Port of London Authority; and, if so, whether he will say what steps he proposes to take in order to secure a satisfactory settlement of this matter?
Mr. ROBERTSONAs the President of the Board of Trade stated in reply to the hon. Member for West Ham on the 1st July last, the Port of London Authority have informed the Board that their permanent and registered men were employed under conditions requiring a week's notice of termination of employment on either side. The Authority stated that the men in question left their work without giving any notice, and consequently committed a breach of contract for which they were answerable in damages. I have communicated a copy of my hon. Friend's question to the Port Authority, who have replied that they have nothing to add to their previous statement on the subject. It is not a matter in which the Board of Trade are able to interfere.