§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what action he has taken or intends taking to resolve the industrial dispute in the dock industry.
§ Mr. R. CarrA national delegate conference of the unions concerned has today rejected the employers' offer to increase the national minimum earnings guarantee to £4 a day, i.e. £20 a week, and has called for a national strike from 14th July.
The House will appreciate that the unions' claim has been very fully considered by the industry's National Joint Council and the offer which has now been rejected is the only one which the employers have felt it possible to make. In view of the serious situation that could arise I am at once arranging for officers of my Department to seek exploratory talks with both sides to see if there is any possible basis for a resumption of negotiations.