HC Deb 11 July 1966 vol 731 cc957-8
34. Mr. Dickens

asked the Minister of Labour how many industrial disputes took place between 1960 and 1965 due to the refusal of management to recognise trade unions for negotiation, consultation and other purposes.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

Ninety-eight, less than 1 per cent. of all stoppages.

Mr. Dickens

Is my hon. Friend aware that to get a successful incomes policy off the ground the elementary human right of trade union recognition by employers must be accepted throughout industry? Will she consider introducing as a compulsory measure the need for this in forthcoming legislation?

Mrs. Williams

My hon. Friend may like to know that whenever a dispute arises from non-recognition of a trade union our officers go into the situation and see the employer. However, as my hon. Friend correctly states, there is at present no law under which they can enforce recognition. This is one of the matters before the Royal Commission. A good deal of evidence has been given on this matter, including evidence by the Ministry of Labour.

Mr. Ellis

When management refuses to recognise trade unions, what is the Minister prepared to do about it?

Mrs. Williams

I think that I dealt with that in my last reply. We send in our industrial relations officers immediately this situation is brought to our attention.

Mr. John Hall

The hon. Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Dickens) referred to the necessity of getting the prices and incomes policy off the ground. Is it not necessary to get it recognised first by the trade unions themselves?

Mrs. Williams

The position with regard to the trade unions is clear. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Some of them are in favour and some of them are not in favour; we may as well be frank about it. Even though there may be few disputes with regard to non-recognition of a trade union, they tend to add to the time lost through strikes. This is a matter about which the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall) and many of his colleagues are concerned.