'Free' ports to come within dock scheme
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Government may also change definition of dock work
MR MICHAEL FOOT, the Employment Secretary, has angered employers and Tory MPs by a plan to extend the Dockworkers' Employment Scheme to all ports. When he announced his proposals in the Commons this week he was accused of pleasing a small section of society, while outside the House shipping and port employers stressed their opposition.
The Minister said that the safeguards in the present Employment Scheme did not apply to many ports and wharves which had grown significantly in site and economic importance. He proposed to use powers under a 1946 Act and consult with the industry in the preparation of an Order to extend the scheme to all significant cargo-handling activities at ports and wharves handling thirdparty traffic which were not covered by it.
Any objections to the order would be considered by a statutory inquiry.
Mr Foot added that he also proposed to start consultations on possible changes to the statutory definitions of "dockworker" and "dockwork" to take account of the introduction of new cargo handling techniques and other changes in the industry.
Shadow Employment Minister, Mr James Prior, described the statement as "very depressing indeed". The House might have expected that anyone else but Mr Foot would have stood up to TGWU pressure.
Opposition leader Mr Edward Heath believed that the Government, given the chance, would proceed regardless of any recommendations made by the statutory enquiry. Nonscheme ports were efficient, profitable and had good industrial relations — in complete contrast to the declining ports.
The Road Haulage Association told CM this week that it was opposed in principle to extension of the Dockworkers Employment Scheme, though more details of the proposals would be needed before making a full statement.