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Alex Cunningham paid tribute to the GMB union for supporting Cammell Laird workers and discussed the historic injustice faced by these workers in 1984. He highlighted the impact of job cuts, strikes, and imprisonment on workers' lives and their subsequent hardships, including blacklisting and loss of pension rights. He urged the Government to recognise the unjust treatment of these workers.
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He thanks his hon. Friend, noting that the systematic reduction of workforce at Cammell Laird from 5,500 in 1977 to 3,300 by October 1983 highlights attempts to undermine British shipbuilding. He questions whether these actions led to the need for an inquiry.
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Chris Stephens highlighted historical parallels between the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders work-in and the Cammell Laird workers' situation, arguing that both cases involved political decisions leading to industrial closures and worker unrest. He criticised Margaret Thatcher's government for its ruthless treatment of workers during the 1984 incident at Cammell Laird, including the imprisonment of striking workers, which he described as a denial of human rights. Stephens called on the Government to release documents related to the case and carry out a review into the jailing of striking workers. The Minister refers to the new Bill. If that Bill had applied to the Cammell Laird 37, they would have been dismissed with no right to a tribunal.
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She supports her hon. Friend's call for justice, highlighting the presence of Cammell Laird 37 members in the Public Gallery and stressing the importance of making all documents public as soon as possible. Is the Minister stating categorically that there are no documents in any Department related to Cammell Laird that have not been released to the public domain?
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He recalls his engineering apprenticeship in Liverpool and notes that Cammell Laird was crucial for training engineers. He suggests a third option similar to the Hillsborough inquiry, where evidence could be reviewed properly. Would the Minister consider an independent panel similar to the Hillsborough Independent Panel if a public inquiry is not possible for legal reasons?
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Paying tribute to the 37 Cammell Laird workers and their families, Ian Byrne highlighted the injustice they faced for nearly four decades. He noted that between 1978 and 1981, Merseyside lost 34,000 manufacturing jobs due to de-industrialisation under Thatcher's government. The strike at Cammell Laird in 1984 was a response to planned redundancies and the targeting of trade union members led to arrests and convictions without fair trial. Byrne called for an apology from the Government based on the European Parliament's ruling in 2014, stating that justice should not be denied.
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Ian Lavery expressed concern about the imprisonment of Cammell Laird workers in 1984, calling it a severe miscarriage of justice. He highlighted the impact on families and communities and urged for a public inquiry to uncover the truth behind these incarcerations.
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He commends the hon. Friend for securing this debate, agreeing that historical miscarriages of justice are life-changing for those involved and their families. He emphasises the need for legislative changes to prevent future injustices.
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John Mann supports the case of the Cammell Laird 37, emphasizing the urgency of their situation and urging full access to relevant papers. He agrees that a significant group of Ministers in 1984 were determined to privatize British shipbuilders regardless of consequences.
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Paid tribute to Gareth Thomas for securing the debate and highlighted Mick Whitley's work on this issue. Questioned why arrests were made in a civil dispute without clear reasons, suggesting deeper government involvement was possible. Criticised the Thatcher Government's approach towards Merseyside, including managed decline and weakening workers' rights. Raised concerns about judicial impartiality, stating that Lord Justice Lawton expected leniency only if men apologised for their actions. Argued the imprisonment of 37 men was punitive and political, noting it contrasted with similar disputes where no one was imprisoned.
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She congratulates the hon. Friend on securing the debate, noting that Mick Whitley has campaigned tirelessly since 2021 to highlight the immense suffering and economic hardship endured by workers during their detention and afterwards.
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The Member highlighted the injustice faced by Cammell Laird workers in the 1980s, describing it as a result of viewing trade unionists as enemies. He mentioned Norman Tebbit's admission to spying on trade unionists and emphasised the need for a public inquiry to address the abuse of state power.