§ 44. Sir T. Beamishasked the Minister of Labour if he will discuss with the Central Electricity Generating Board and the trades union leaders concerned ways to avoid in future the public inconvenience caused by the trade dispute resulting in an unofficial go-slow in many power stations with a view to ensuring that, without interfering with the normal processes of collective bargaining, vital public services are maintained in future; and if he has made proposals with this object in mind.
§ Mr. HareI am considering whether action on the lines suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend would serve a useful purpose. I have already received a request from the trade union side of the National Joint Industrial Council for the electricity supply industry asking me to convene a joint meeting of representatives of both sides of industry. I have replied saying that I would like some further information and have therefore invited representatives of the unions to126W meet my officials. I think it is desirable for this meeting to take place before deciding what further action would be useful.
§ Captain Kerbyasked the Minister of Labour what action he took during the recent work-to-rule, arising from a trade dispute; and what action he now proposes to take towards the avoidance of such disputes in the future.
§ Mr. HareThe negotiations were conducted throughout within the framework of the National Joint Industrial Council for the electricity supply industry and there were no grounds for intervention on my part. The "work-to-rule" was an unofficial movement. It is for the union concerned to discourage such action which is contrary to the whole spirit of voluntary collective bargaining and in this instance in particular inflicted severe hardship upon the public.