§ Sir G. de Freitasasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that on Thursday, 9th June the hon. Member for Kettering was told that on his instructions no official in his Department would provide him with factual information or the text of Government statements on the seamen's strike and that the hon. Member had to rely on information from another Department not primarily concerned with labour relations; and whether he will change his instructions to his officials so that inquiries by Members of Parliament are not so treated.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsI much regret that officials of the Ministry could not meet the request which the hon. Member made for immediate information about the seaman's strike. This was because all the officials who could have given up-to-date information were at the time involved in discussions with the representatives of the shipowners, the union and others concerned.
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