§ 46. Mr. Victor Yatesasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether her Department has been notified of the threatened stoppage of work by staff employed by the British Steel Corporation over the question of union recognition; and what action she intends to take to resolve the dispute.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerYes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is meeting representatives of the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs and the Clerical and Administrative Workers' Union today.
§ Mr. YatesI appreciate the prompt action taken by the Minister, but will my hon. Friend point out to his right hon. Friend that there is deep resentment felt by clerical staff, who have always been recognised by firms in the past, that such recognition is declined by the nationalised steel industry? There is great resentment. Will every effort be made to resolve what could be an ugly dispute?
§ Mr. WalkerIt would be inadvisable for me to add to the reply which I have already given.
§ Mr. TinnWill my hon. Friend bear in mind in the consultations that more than one union is involved and take care not to short-circuit discussions which have been taking place in the T.U.C. on this matter with the other unions traditionally concerned in the steel industry?
§ Mr. WalkerI assure my hon. Friends that the views which they have expressed will be brought to my right hon. Friend's attention.
§ Mr. Edwin WainwrightIs my hon. Friend saying that there has been no connection at any time between his Department and the British Steel Corporation and that no instructions have been given that it must recognise trade unions because it is a nationalised industry?
§ Mr. WalkerThe Department has been continually informed about the situation, but we have not intervened until it was deemed appropriate. That intervention is occurring today.