§ Mr. Loydenasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement about the implementation of the Dock Work Regulation Act 1976.
§ Mr. BoothConsultations as required under the Act have been taking place about the appointments to be made to the reconstituted National Dock Labour Board for which the Act provides. These have now been completed, and I have today made the Dock Work Regulation Act 1976 (Commencement No. 1) Order 1977 bringing into force those sections of the Act dealing with matters concerning the establishment of the reconstituted Board and providing for the preparation of a new dock labour scheme. These sections of the Act will come into 579W force on 1st August, and appointments to the new Board will take effect from that date. I hope very shortly to announce the membership of the Board.
The remaining and main sections of the Act, and in particular those relating to the classification of dock work, will be brought into force as soon as the new Board has had the opportunity to decide what administrative arrangements will be necessary to carry out the duties placed upon it by these provisions. Work is proceeding on the drafting of a new dock labour scheme, and a draft scheme will in due course be published as required by the Act, so that persons interested may make representations about it before it is laid before Parliament for approval.