§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment to how many acres of land in the ports of London, Glasgow, Liverpool and Hull the dock labour scheme applies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsQuestions about authorities' landholdings are for them to answer. The Department of Employment does not have this information.
The dock labour scheme has acted as a disincentive to investment and has caused a decline in employment both in the ports in which it operates, and in the surrounding areas. This has affected not only registered dock workers but those people living near the docks who could otherwise have been employed by companies investing in the port area.