§ Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why it was necessary to introduce new labour regulations 1594W in Jamaica prohibiting strikes in industries concerned with food production without any reference to the Government Committee of Inquiry on Labour Relations and Strikes and without consulting trade union representatives?
§ Colonel StanleyThe only change that has been made is the extension of Jamaica Defence Regulation 19A (which is the local equivalent of the United Kingdom Defence Regulation 58AA) to cover specifically services relating to food production and distribution. This was rendered necessary by an irresponsible strike which resulted in a waste of imported food. The Committee on Industrial Relations, which was appointed at the same time to consider the setting up of conciliation machinery and the means of improving relations between employers and workers, was not an appropriate body to deal with the existing situation.