§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Government are taking in the face of diminishing port traffic to maintain the viability of the decasualisation scheme for 163W dock workers at the cross-channel section of Belfast docks.
§ Mr. OrmeDiminishing traffic has created difficulties for the decasualisation scheme in operation at the cross-channel section of Belfast docks. The Central Wages Organisation which administers the scheme has on its register a considerable number of dock workers surplus to its requirements for the immediate and foreseable future. Following urgent consultation with all interests the Government have agreed to the immediate severance of 60 workers from the present register of 255; and, in the light of the Organisation's resources, I have made arrangements for a grant of £160,835 to be made to it on a once for all basis to enable it to make severance payments, thereby safeguarding the decasualisation scheme and ensuring the continuing solvency of the Organisation. Appropriate conditions have been attached to the grant, and I have the assurance of both sides of the industry that they will co-operate fully with Government in a continuing and co-ordinated examination of manpower problems and port activity.