§ Mr. Wootton-Daviesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he can make any statement on the action of dockers in refusing to unload oranges at a British port on the ground that, owing to the presence of a bomb en route to this country it was a dangerous cargo and therefore demanded extra pay, while the work was eventually carried out by soldiers and civilians without extra remuneration; and what action was taken in regard to the refusal of the dockers to assist.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI am grateful to my hon. Friend for this opportunity of removing misunderstandings which have arisen about the unloading of oranges from ships which arrived recently at a British port. Before any question of employing civilian labour could arise, 699W experienced naval bomb disposal personnel, with special appliances, were put on board, to deal with any explosives which there might be among the cargo. These naval personnel were shortly afterwards augmented by troops to assist in dealing with the suspected cargo, which was discharged into barges. I understand that there was a discussion as to the rates of pay that would have been appropriate had civilian dockers been called upon to discharge the cargo, but the work was, in fact, done by Service personnel.