HC Deb 30 April 1973 vol 855 cc227-9W
Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy towards the recommendation of the National Ports Council that non-scheme

National Joint Council for the Port Transport Industry—Minimum Terms and Conditions of Employment Terms and Conditions of Employment for Hull Registered Dock Workers (as from 1st April 1973)
Guaranteed daily payment £4.60 a day. £7.33 a day.
Hours of normal work 40. 40.
Overtime rates Where meal hours not paid for— Time and a half per hour. Normal overtime—Time and a half per hour.
Where meal hours paid for—Time and a third per hour.
Weekend overtime rates (Saturday 5 p.m. to Sunday midnight)— Double time per hour. "Special" overtime—Double time per hour.
Annual leave 4 weeks for those in the third full calendar year of service. 4 weeks from 1st April 1973 for those in the third full year of calendar service.
Holiday pay £23 per week. £41.65 per week.
Sick pay 6–12 weeks paid, dependent on length of service. Payment is at the rate of £6 per week. After 12 months service: 2 weeks at half pay (£18.33 per week) followed by 12 weeks at quarter pay (£9.16).
Basic weekly payment for normal week's work. Not applicable. £41.65.
Average earnings Not applicable. £51.47.*
* Figure relates to permanent and supplementary workers during the fourth quarter of 1972. Later figures are not yet available.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps his Department is taking to implement the recommendation of the National Ports Council in the final report on non-scheme ports and wharfs concerning the amenities and welfare and training on such wharves up to the standard of scheme ports.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

In general these recommendations were directed to

wharfs should make an appropriate financial contribution to the National Dock Labour Board.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

The recommendation that an appropriate financial contribution should be made to the National Dock Labour Board was made in the context of possible use by non-scheme undertakings of NDLB training and welfare facilities. It is for the individual undertakings to make their own approaches to the NDLB about this.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the basic-weekly payment for a normal week, overtime, etc., holiday entitlement, sick pay and daily and weekly guarantee payments under the National Joint Council for the Port Transport Industry; and how this compares with the conditions and payments of dock workers in Hull under the National Dock Labour Scheme.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

The information is as follows:

management. My Factory Inspectorate will advise on standards of amenities which could equal those in scheme ports. The National Dock Labour Board could be ready to advise on questions of training and welfare.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps his Department intends to take to eliminate casual engagement on non-scheme wharfs, as recommended by the National Ports Council final report on non-scheme ports and wharfs.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport Industries on 22nd March. —[Vol. 853, c. 173–4.] My Department has already held preliminary talks with both sides of the National Joint Council for the Port Transport Industry. It has been agreed that the Department will support action by the industry to follow up the recommendations at local level.