§ Mr. Levyasked the Minister of Labour in what circumstances a large number of shipbuilding apprentices in the West of 721W Scotland came out on strike; how long the strike lasted; what machinery exists for the avoidance of such stoppages; and why it was ineffective in this case?
§ Mr. BevinThe stoppages of work by shipbuilding apprentices cannot be dissociated from a series of similar stoppages by engineering apprentices which began at Kilmarnock on 28th February. Constitutional machinery for the settlement of disputes existed in both industries under agreements between the employers' organisations and trade unions concerned, but as soon as it became evident that the stoppages of work were extending, I appointed a Court of Inquiry on 13th March to inquire into the causes and circumstances of the dispute. Following hearings by the Court certain discussions took place which resulted in a general resumption of work on the 20th March. I have received an interim report from the Court of Inquiry but I would prefer not to make a statement on the last part of the Question until I have received their final report.