§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about steps being taken to settle the dispute between bus drivers and conductors in Scotland and their employers.
§ Mr. BoothThis is an unofficial strike at a time when national negotiations are going on which cover the workers on strike. A national official of the union concerned appealed unsuccessfully last weekend for a return to work. The Conciliation and Arbitration Service is in touch with the union and the employers, but in the circumstances of the dispute there is no scope at present for its intervention. I hope that wiser counsels will prevail and that these Scottish workers will resume their services to the community and await the outcome of the processes of free collective bargaining.