Mr. Alan Lee Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will make a statement on the consultations between her Department and the employers concerning disciplinary action taken against London dock workers taking part in unofficial activities.
§ Mr. HattersleyRepresentatives of the London Port Employers were invited on 6th February to discuss with officials of my Department the employers' proposals to discipline a number of dockworkers in the Royal Group of Docks for alleged contravention of the Dock Labour Scheme. The object of the meeting was to ensure that all the implications of the employers' proposals were fully considered before they decided to implement them. The reports that the action subsequently taken was approved by my Department were untrue.