HC Deb 24 January 1956 vol 548 c6W
78. Mr. Russell

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the trade dispute in the printing industry.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Yes. Negotiations have been proceeding for some time between the British Federation of Master Printers and the Newspaper Society and the seven unions concerned for new agreements to replace those which expired last November. A settlement has been reached between the employers and five of the unions, whilst discussions are still in progress with a sixth union. The Typographical Association has, however, rejected the employers' proposals and instructed its members to "work to rule" and ban overtime as from 18th January.

A similar situation has arisen between the London Master Printers' Association and the London Typographical Society, which instructed its members to "work to rule" and to limit overtime from the same date.

Between them these disputes affect general printing throughout England and Wales including H.M.S.O. as well as periodicals, technical journals and provincial and London suburban newspapers. The national newspapers are not affected. My Department has been notified of the disputes and is in touch with the parties.