HC Deb 17 November 1981 vol 13 c67W
43. Sir David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will review the dock labour scheme in conjunction with the British Transport Docks Board with the aim of ensuring that the differential pay disputes which have hampered the smooth functioning of the Southampton docks through 1981 are permanently resolved.

Mr. Waddington

Levels of pay, including the determination of appropriate differentials, are entirely a matter for the British Transport Docks Board and its employees through their joint negotiating machinery. The dock labour scheme requires only that the wages and conditions of a registered dockworker "shall be in accordance with the national or local agreements for the time being in force".