HL Deb 15 March 1976 vol 369 cc139-40WA
Lord AVEBURY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Secretary of State for Employment will hold discussions with representatives of the Transport and General Workers' Union and British Waterways Board with a view to lifting restrictions imposed unofficially by dock-workers in Hull that have so far prevented the use of the Barge-aboard-catamaran (BACAT) system.

Lord JACQUES

My Lords, I understand that the independent Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service has had discussions with officials of the Transport and General Workers' Union and with representatives of the British Waterways Board regarding the unofficial action of some dock workers in Hull which led to the withdrawal by the crewmen of the BACAT service between Rotterdam and the Humber. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Employment considers that the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service is the appropriate body to give such assistance as the parties concerned may require to resolve these difficulties.