§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Minister of Transport if, in drafting legislation to take the ports into public ownership, he will, in order to extend worker participation, provide for local joint control committees involving representatives of all sections of workpeople in the industry with functions including safety, promotion, operation of equipment and labour and overtime working.
§ Mr. MarshI intend that the National Ports Authority should have a duty to consult appropriate organisations with a view to establishing agreed machinery, at national and local levels, for the settlement by negotiation of terms and conditions of employment and for the promotion and encouragement of all measures affecting efficiency, safety, health and welfare.
§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Minister of Transport if, in drafting legislation to take the ports into public ownership, he will make provision for only one employer of labour in each port with the duty of ensuring a fair deal for the workers at a time when major reductions in the labour force and changes in working practices are required.
§ Mr. MarshIt is the intention that all employees in the industry should have a fair deal by being guaranteed terms and conditions of employment not less favourable than those obtaining under the National Ports Authority for similar work292W in the same area. The White Paper proposes that the National Ports Authority shall have the dominant voice on the employers' side of the industry.
§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Minister of Transport if, in drafting legislation to take the ports into public ownership, he will make provision for representatives of workers' interests on the proposed National Ports Authority to be drawn directly from the trade unions involved in the industry.
§ Mr. MarshThe exact method of ensuring employee participation and involvement in the new ports organisation has yet to be determined.