asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that dock workers in Liverpool sign 11 times a week at the clearing house when unemployed; and whether he will take steps to reduce the number of signings?

The requirement that registered dock workers in Liverpool should sign twice daily, except on Saturdays, was introduced on account of the local conditions of the industry, and has been in operation for some 10 years. The question whether any reduction in the frequency of signature can be made is being investigated by the National Joint Council for Dock Labour. I must await the outcome of this investigation before taking any further steps in the matter.