HC Deb 23 June 1966 vol 730 cc142-3W
Mr. Maurice Macmillan

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total membership of the National Union of Seamen; and what numbers are now on strike according to the latest available figures.

Mr. Gunter

The latest available figure of the membership of the National Union of Seamen is 69,979 at the end of 1964. 26,000 seamen are estimated to be on strike at present.

Mr. Maurice Macmillan

asked the Minister of Labour how many members of the National Union of Seamen have been on strike for less than one week, between one and two weeks, between two and three weeks, between three and four weeks, and over four weeks, respectively.

Mr. Gunter

Exact figures are not available. The estimated numbers on strike for the periods stated are as follows:

Less than 1 week … 1,000
More than 1 but less than 2 … 3,000
More than 2 but less than 3 … 3,000
More than 3 but less than 4 … 4,000
More than 4 weeks … 15,000

Mr. Maurice Macmillan

asked the Minister of Labour what are the numbers of deep-sea and inshore members, respectively, of the National Union of Seamen now on strike; to what date these figures refer; and if he will estimate the number of potential strikers due to land on each day subsequent to that date.

Mr. Gunter

The majority of the 26,000 seamen estimated to be on strike at present are from home trade ships, but I cannot give estimates of those from foreign going and home trade ships separately, nor of the numbers who will be coming ashore in the future.

Mr. Maurice Macmillan

asked the Minister of Labour if he will estimate the number of members of the National Union of Seamen presently on strike who have obtained employment on shore.

Mr. Gunter

My Ministry has no information from which an estimate could be made.

Mr. Maurice Macmillan

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of the members of the National Union of Seamen discharge at sea functions which, for the purposes of his statistics, have an equivalent in shore employment; and if he will list such jobs.

Mr. Gunter

I regret the information is not available.