Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennettasked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the dispute that has led to a total stoppage of work in the nationalised Hants and Dorset Bus Company; what were the grounds for dispute; and with what bodies representing the employees he or the Transport Commission are negotiating.
§ Mr. RobensThis stoppage of work arose from a refusal by men employed at the Winchester depot of the company to carry out new duty schedules which were due to operate from 20th May. The stoppage subsequently spread to involve all areas covered by the company. The schedules were submitted to, and agreed by, the National Union of Railwaymen on the 25th April and notices were posted accordingly on 30th April. Individual representations against the schedules were made a few days before they were due to begin, but the National Agreement to which the company is a party provides that when points of difference arise on schedules and a decision is not arrived at by the date of operation, the new schedules shall be worked while they are being given further consideration by the management and the trade union representatives. The company negotiates with90W the National Union of Railwaymen, with which union they have an agreement regulating the wages and conditions of employment of their workers. The men returned to work on 31st May.