HC Deb 31 March 1969 vol 781 cc28-9
34. Mr. Barnes

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what steps she has taken in pursuance of her policy of getting companies to register collective agreements; and what response she has had.

47. Sir E. Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what progress has been made in consultations between the Government, the Confederation of British Industry, the Trades Union Congress and the nationalised industries on the scope of the voluntary registration of collective agreements; and whether she will make a statement.

Mrs. Castle

Consultations with the C.B.I., T.U.C. and nationalised industries are in progress, but I hope in the course of next month to issue invitations to the largest of the companies and undertakings employing more than 5,000 to register their procedure agreements. Invitations to other firms in this category will follow shortly afterwards.

Mr. Barnes

Can my right hon. Friend say whether she has any plans to approach Messrs. Turriffs in this context about the situation at the Ivy Bridge building site in the London Borough of Hounslow? Is not this just the sort of dispute which her proposals for registering agreements should be able to prevent?

Mrs. Castle

I shall certainly bear my hon. Friend's point in mind. Registration is primarily proceeding on the basis, first, of companies and undertakings, in a general way, but I will bear the point in mind.