§ Mr. J. Rodgersasked the Minister of Labour what steps he intends to take to assist towards a settlement in the London omnibus dispute in view of the statement of the trade union concerned that they will call a strike for 5th May.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe House will remember that there were protracted negotiations between the Transport and General Workers' Union and London Transport Executive and that discussions took place with my officers in an endeavour to settle this dispute. The outcome was that both sides agreed to put the case to me for reference to the Industrial Court. The Industrial Court gave its award on 11th March, 1958.
Voluntary arbitration by the Industrial Court has always rightly been regarded as the final stage in the settlement of a dispute, and I regret that the award has not been so regarded in this case by one of the parties. I cannot take any action which would have as its object a variation of the Industrial Court award. To do so would be, in effect, to question the award of the Industrial Court, and this I am not prepared to do. I hope, however, that even at this stage the award will be accepted.