HC Deb 24 July 1957 vol 574 cc59-60W
90. Captain Pilkington

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the bus strike.

91. Mr. Lewis

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the strikes of coach drivers and workers employed at various London fruit and vegetable markets.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The House will be familiar with the background of these disputes, and I will refer only to the more recent position in each.

The dispute over the wages claim of the omnibus and coach workers employed by companies represented on the National Council for the Omnibus Industry was referred to me by the employers under the Industrial Disputes Order, 1951. My officers met both parties and, as there was no prospect of a settlement by conciliation, I referred the dispute, in accordance with the provisions of the Order, to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal. The Tribunal is hearing the case today, and I expect that its award will be issued within the next few days.

As regards the London fruit and vegetable markets, difficulties arose over the application of awards in relation to the system of employing labour at Covent Garden Market made by an independent chairman appointed by me. This led to a stoppage in the market, which has spread through sympathetic action to other London fruit and vegetable markets. My officers have kept in close touch with the situtation and have met both sides since the stoppage began, but at this stage there is no prospect of a settlement by conciliation.