Mr George Isaacs: I should like to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman—since I must put it in interrogatory form—whether he is aware that the community generally will be happy at the knowledge of this settlement, that his expression of appreciation of the patience of the parties concerned is well justified, and that his own patience has been justified? It is important to notice that this assurance...
Mr George Isaacs: (by Private Notice)asked the Minister of Labour and National Service whether he has any further statement to make about the threatened stoppage of work on the railways.
Mr George Isaacs: From experience, I know the value of the sentiment in the right hon. and learned Gentleman's last words and I hope that the House will accept his statement. May I, at the same time, say that I am sure the whole House wishes him every success in his endeavours?
Mr George Isaacs: Would the hon. and learned Gentleman be good enough to look at a list of cases from the borough of Southwark in which the borough council has been unable to deliver notices against this group of owners? In addition to that, tenants living in awful conditions are having letters threatening them with prosecution unless they pay their rents.
Mr George Isaacs: asked the Minister of Labour and National Service (by Private Notice) whether he has any statement to make about the threatened stoppage of work on the railways
Mr George Isaacs: If, at the meeting this afternoon, the Minister finds himself fully informed of the position, will he then offer immediate service from his own Ministry and, if necessary, his own personal service in an effort to reach an early settlement?
Mr George Isaacs: If necessary, would the Minister be good enough to make a further statement to us tomorrow?
Mr George Isaacs: The Minister mentioned the National Joint Advisory Council as being the body most valuable on all industrial matters, but as on this question the organisations involved were not associated in any way with N.J.A.C.—the local authorities, teachers' organisations, and so on—will he bear in mind that there should be the necessary consultations on that side?
Mr George Isaacs: asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the practice of returning members of the Metropolitan Police to uniform duty after several years as aids to the Criminal Investigation Department, has led to discontent and loss of men from the police force, since men so transferred after working irregular hours without overtime payment, on their return to uniform duty,...
Mr George Isaacs: Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I can quote an instance of a man who had served for four years, who had had 10 commendations, who, with others, had worked unreasonably long hours without overtime pay, and who had been told that he could have time off under a system known in the trade unions as" flexible hours"? I know of another case where a man who had served several years was sent back to...
Mr George Isaacs: Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that this story about flying saucers is all "ballooney"?
Mr George Isaacs: asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why, in view of the policy of the Government with regard to the day-to-day activities of nationalised industries, he accepts invitations to visit individual gas works; how many such visits he has paid in the last three months; and if he will name the works concerned and make a report to the House on the reason for, and the result of, each such visit.
Mr George Isaacs: When does the right hon. Gentleman propose to make the visit which, at the Conservative Party conference, he said he would be delighted to make? When does he propose to visit the Old Kent Road gasworks, where he was told he could save £200,000 a year as a result of a two hours' visit?
Mr George Isaacs: Would the right hon. Gentleman report to the House when he has, in fact, "knocked 'em in the Old Kent Road?
Mr George Isaacs: Has the Minister had any complaint from any of the unions representing the workers in this industry about the inefficiency of the Regulations?
Mr George Isaacs: (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether he has a further statement to make about the strike of oil distribution workers.
Mr George Isaacs: May I assure the right hon. and learned Gentleman that all of us on this side of the House ate very pleased to see the result of his efforts in this matter? Especially do we wish to associate ourselves with the reference in the last part of his reply about making use of the negotiating machinery. All of us who have the trade union interest at heart know that if we are to make our trade...
Mr George Isaacs: Is the Minister aware that even the suggestion made by his hon. Friend below the Gangway is likely to cause concern among the trade unions, because the slightest suggestion of any attempt to interfere with an arbitrator is likely to bring the arbitration to a close?
Mr George Isaacs: I do not question for a moment the belief of the Government that what they are doing is in the interests of the pensioners. We believe that to be so, but we have some doubts which we should like to have cleared up. The right hon. Gentleman, the tone of whose speech we appreciate, made use of one or two phrases to which I should like to draw attention. He said, "How can the best service be...
Mr George Isaacs: I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's courtesy in so fully answering most of the points I have put. There are, however, two points outstanding. Can he say anything about the future control of Stoke Mandeville, and something about what is happening at the Duchess of Gloucester House? The second point is not so important, as it is merely an administrative matter.
