By proclamation under the Emergency Powers Act, 1920, the Labour Government on 11th July issued Emergency Regulations dealing with the dock dispute. The 1920 Act authorising the use of emergency powers was parsed by the Lloyd George Coalition Government against the fierce opposition of the Labour Party and Trades Union Congress. Its repeal was demanded by the Labour Party Conference in 1921, the resolution being moved by a docker. The Act was used by the Tories against the General Strike in 1926 and the T.U.C. that year carried a resolution which held that at no time during the strike need the Act have been used.
Yet this is the Act now used by a Labour Government in a dispute that is of negligible proportions compared with the 1926 General Strike.
The sixteen Emergency regulations give the Government sweeping powers over the working of the docks and over any attempt to interfere with the carrying on of work. The Daily Herald (12/7/49) published a summary of all sixteen regulations from which the following are quoted:
“Regulation 3. This concerns acts of sabotage and declares:” ‘No person shall do any act with intent to impair the efficiency or impede the working or movement of any vessel, aircraft, vehicle, machinery, apparatus or other thing used or intended to be used in the performance of essential services.’“Regulation 4. Deals with trespassing and loitering on any premises taken over for the maintenance of essential services.”Mere presence in or near such premises is sufficient for conviction, if it can be shown that the person’s character suggest a purpose prejudicial to public safety’“Regulation 5. Covers acts of violence endangering, obstructing or interfering with troops, police and others engaged in essential services.“Regulation 6. Makes it an offence to induce any troops or police to commit breaches of discipline. Possession or distribution of leaflets or other documents likely to cause disaffection comes under this heading.“Regulation 7. Authorises the Home Secretary to employ police from outside the area for the maintenance of public order.“Regulation 8. Gives powers for billeting of soldiers, sailors and airmen.“Regulation 9. The Postmaster-General is authorised to hold up the delivery of packages and refuse the use of telephone and telegraph services as he thinks fit.“Regulation 11. Gives police power to stop any vehicle if it is suspected that an offence is being committed against the Regulations. A constable may seize any incriminating evidence he finds.“Regulation 12. Gives to any constable power of arrest of suspects without obtaining a warrant.“Regulation 13. Makes it an offence to incite any person to commit offences against the Regulations.“Regulation 14. Directors, general managers or secretaries of companies or corporations offending against the Regulations will be liable unless they can show that the offence was committed without their knowledge or connivance.“Regulation 15. Provides that persons convicted shall be liable to three months jail or a fine of up to £100 or both.“Taking part in, or peacefully persuading a person or persons to take part in a strike is not an offence.“Regulation 16. Enables the authorities to seize any articles believed to provide evidence of an offence.”
The use of troops and of civilian workers brought into the docks from outside is governed by Regulation 2.
In spite of the long years of Labour Party denunciation of the Emergency Powers Act the Emergency Regulations received the sweeping support of Labour M.P’s. Not one Labour M.P. voted against.
Blogger's Note:
This issue of the Socialist Standard also carried two other pieces on the Dockers' dispute:
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