§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if negotiations on the claims of shipping-off gangs, who struck in November 1968, and the Port of London Authority have now been concluded; and what action has been taken to inform the parties concerned of the requirements of the Government's incomes policy.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe Port of London Authority has agreed an increase 135W of 1s. 0d. per hour in the fall-back minimum payment of men employed in their shipping-off gangs, which they estimate will raise the earnings of the men when employed on this work by 1 per cent. The increase, which operated from 24th February, was notified to my Department in accordance with the Government's early warning procedure. The P.L.A. were informed that the Government did not oppose implementation of the agreement.