HC Deb 23 April 1970 vol 800 cc616-8
24. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what further discussions she intends to have with the Trades Union Congress with a view to improving industrial relations.

Mr.Harold Walker

My Department is in regular and frequent consultation with the Trades Union Congress about serious industrial disputes.

Mr. Lewis

It does not seem to be very effective. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that today we hear that B.O.A.C. can no longer run the Jumbo jet because of difficulties in the Corporation? Is he aware that there is also the threat of a newspaper strike? Has he also heard that the A.E.U. is threatening to come out of the York agreement affecting negotiations between unions and employers? This is added to all the other difficulties, and is it not a fact that the trouble is that the T.U.C. as a fire extinguisher has not enough power?

Mr. Walker

It is time hon. Members opposite paid tribute to the T.U.C. and what it is doing and also recognised the dramatic change the T.U.C. accepted in its role last year. Strikes may be a new phenomenon so far as hon. Gentlemen are concerned, but I understand we have had them ever since the Industrial Revolution. As a matter of fact, as the Prime Minister made clear in this House nine days ago, the statistics for the last six years compare very favourably with the statistics for the preceding six years.

Mr. Tinn

Will my hon. Friend see whether anything can be done to give more publicity to the successes of the T.U.C.'? We hear a lot about strikes which take place, but nothing of those which are avoided by the hard and effective work being done by the T.U.C. under Vic Feather.

Mr. Walker

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, when addressing the Scottish T.U.C. yesterday, drew attention to the fact that the T.U.C. had intervened in about 150 disputes with a large measure of success.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Could the hon. Gentleman say when the tribute of the Industrial Relations Bill is to be brought before the House?

Mr. Walker

The Industrial Relations Bill, which will bring about a major reform in industrial relations, will be before the House very shortly.