HC Deb 13 May 1968 vol 764 cc853-4
32. Mr. Kenneth Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will take powers to order a cooling-off period when industrial disputes threaten essential national services.

Mr. Harold Walker

The law on strikes is among the subjects being examined by the Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employer's Associations. My right hon. Friend will consider in the light of its report whether it needs to be changed.

Mr. Baker

Would not the Minister's right hon. Friend find that such powers come under her own phrase, used earlier this afternoon, of "constructive intervention"? Would not she find such reserve powers immensely useful in the sort of situation which nearly developed last week over the Post Office workers?

Mr. Walker

My right hon. Friend does not possess such powers at present. There is one country in the world where such powers have been tried and the Ministry of Labour's written evidence to

Gentleman had in mind, I am afraid that he asked for the wrong figures, which are irrelevant to S.E.T., or nearly so. If he will consult HANSARD of 26th March he will find Answers showing how successful S.E.T. has been.

Following is the statement:

the Royal Commission pointed out that the experiences in the United States have not produced very encouraging results. In fact, the cooling-off period usually leads to a hardening of attitudes on both sides.

Mr. Heffer

Does my hon. Friend agree that, in addition to the Ministry's evidence, in the United States the lawyers and the legal people have become completely involved, which has complicated the whole position as the result of such legislation?

Mr. Walker

My hon. Friend's point is to some extent indicative of the difficulties we can get into in industrial relations once we start to become involved in litigation instead of having the flexibility that arises from the present system, for we then start to have to watch rigid, legally defined guide lines.

Mr. R. Carr

Is the Minister aware that he has given a most misleading account of the experience of the United States in relation to the cooling-off period?

Mr. Walker

No, Sir.