§ 46. Mr. Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (1) if she will make a statement on the situation at Newlyn where, following the agreement by certain fish companies to grant recognition to its workers, a return to work has been impeded following the refusal of the Harbour, Commissioner to allow their workers who were involved in the dispute to return to work;
(2) if she will set up an official public inquiry into the dispute between the employees, members of the Transport and General Worker's Union and the Harbour Commissioners at Newlyn.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerIn October I referred to the Commission on Industrial Relations a recognition dispute between the Transport and General Workers' Union and two companies at Newlyn, W. Stevenson & Sons and Suttons Ltd., certain of whose employees had taken part in a stoppage of work and subsequently received letters of dismissal. I understand that the C.I.R., whose report will be published shortly succeeded in bringing representatives of the two companies and of the union together and an agreement was reached providing for a resumption of work, recognition of the union and a phased programme of re-instatement.382W This agreement has not yet been implemented owing to the fact that in September certain employees of the Newlyn Harbour Commission, who recognise the T. & G.W.U., came out on strike, with the backing of their union, in support of the action taken by their fellow trade unionists at Stevensons and Suttons and it has not yet proved possible to resolve difficulties over the reinstatement of these employees despite efforts to find a solution to the problem.
I have therefore decided to appoint an inquiry into the dispute between the Harbour Commission and the T. & G.W.U. I very much hope that in the light of this decision there can now be an immediate resumption of work and immediate implementation of the other provisions of the agreement covering Stevensons and Suttons and that the two companies and the union will make every effort to secure this.