§ 55. Sir C. Osborneasked the Minister of Labour if he will set up a non-party committee to investigate why, in the first five months of 1965, 1,627,000 working days were lost through strikes compared with 1,211,000 in the same period of 1964 and 490,000 in 1963, and to recommend what punishment should be inflicted on the minority of agitators who foment these strikes against the advice of trade union leaders; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GunterI have nothing to add to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member on 21st June.
§ 56. Mr. Atkinsonasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the growing anxiety throughout the trade union movement arising from the repeated demands for punishment of those in industry who, under provocation, withdraw their labour during industrial disputes; what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to such punishment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GunterI much regret some of the ill advised demands of this kind and would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne) on 21st June.