§ Mr. HayhoeI beg to move Amendment No. 3, in page 4, line 6, at end insert:
'Where an inquiry relates to industrial relations in a particular industry, undertaking or part of an undertaking the Service shall, before entering on the inquiry, publish the scope of the intended inquiry and give a reasonable opportunity to those concerned to express their views in relation to the inquiry'.This amendment also follows an assurance given by the Minister in Committee, reported in col. 162 of Hansard The arguments are well set out there. I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman does not seem to have come forward with an amendment to cover the matter, but perhaps he will give an indiciation of what he has in mind.
§ Mr. BoothI wish to make clear the Government's attitude on the broader question of the duty of the ACAS. We do not regard promoting the improvement of industrial relations as a one-sided matter. Indeed, we consider that promoting the improvement of industrial relations is a function which benefits both employers and employees. We do not see this in any way as biased, and we had hoped that that view would commend itself to the many hon. Members 1960 who take a deep interest in and have a true appreciation of the importance of industrial relations.
As the hon. Member for Brentford and Isleworth (Mr. Hayhoe) said, when we discussed this matter in Committee, on Amendment No. 43 to Clause 5, he and his hon. Friends expressed anxiety about the ACAS undertaking inquiry without first consulting the parties concerned, and I gave an undertaking that I would discuss the matter with the ACAS with a view to giving the House an absolute assurance that there would be prior consultation in these matters.
I am glad to report to the House now that the ACAS has given an assurance that as respects inquiries relating to industrial relations in a particular industry, undertaking or part of an undertaking, it has been the invariable practice to consult all those know to have an interest in the matter to be inquired into, to explain to them the scope of the proposed inquiry, to give them an opportunity of expressing their views, and to take those views into account before deciding to proceed with the inquiry.
The service gives a further assurance that this practice will continue to be followed when inquiries are in future conducted under the provisions of Clause 5. The service would not, however, wish to be committed to publishing the scope of an intended inquiry generally before seeking the views of interested parties on it. This is clearly a wise precaution in case initial soundings produce an unfavourable reaction and the proposal for the inquiry is abandoned.
I hope that hon. Members will agree that I have met my undertaking to the Committee, and will welcome and appreciate as I do, the assurance of the ACAS, and that they will withdraw the amendment.
§ Mr. PriorThe Minister of State has met the main point that we raised in Committee, and there is wisdom in the course that the ACAS intends to pursue.
§ Mr. HayhoeI beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
§ Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.