§ 56. Mr. Isaacsasked the Minister of Labour if he will now make a further statement on the dispute between the National Society of Operative Printers and Assistants and the firm of D. C. Thomson.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe House will be aware from the answers given on 11th November and 18th December last that my right hon. and learned Friend has been continuing his efforts to find a solution to the outstanding difficulty regarding the men who came out on strike at Glasgow last April.
In response to further approaches, the firm have now made it clear that they are not prepared to depart in any way from their decision not to re-engage any of the men concerned. To do so would, in their view, be contrary to the interests of the firm and its staff, and of the men themselves.
It is a matter of great regret to my right hon. and learned Friend that all efforts to find a mutually acceptable arrangement which would finally settle this protracted dispute have failed, but in view of the reply now received from the firm there would appear to be no further suggestion for a settlement which could usefully be explored.