HC Deb 11 March 1976 vol 907 cc625-6

Mr. Teddy Taylor (by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will invite the ACAS to seek a solution of the current dispute on the railways; and if he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Michael Foot)

Drivers at a number of depots have already resumed normal working on the advice of the ASLEF Executive and many services have been resumed. At other depots meetings are even now taking place to discuss the Executive's recommendation. I very much hope that all drivers will follow the advice of their Executive so that full services can be quickly resumed and the inconvenience to the public ended.

I understand that British Rail and the unions are to meet tomorrow to discuss the timetable changes which led to this dispute.

Mr. Taylor

Does the Secretary of State agree that the unofficial action this week has caused acute hardship to the travelling public, who have already been hammered by record fare rises? As railway morale appears to be at an all-time low, and there appears to be the prospect of more industrial trouble to come on the railways, does the Secretary of State agree that it would be appropriate for the ACAS to consider the whole question of how communications can be improved between the British Railways Board and its employees and between ASLEF and its members?

Mr. Foot

The Question is about the dispute. As there is a meeting tomorrow to discuss it, it would be inappropriate for ACAS to intervene. It is much better that the parties should be left to settle it in that way.

Mr. Les Huckfield

Is my right hon. Friend aware that all the other regions of British Rail have been abiding by agreed consultation machinery and that the Eastern Region management seems to want deliberately to flout clause 8 of the consultative guidelines to which British Railways Board agreed on 11th November last? Is my right hon. Friend further aware that, despite the advice of the ASLEF Executive that its members should attempt to work normally, depot managements even this morning have been engaging in acts of deliberate provocation? Will my right hon. Friend urge British Railways Board to stick by the guidelines to which it has agreed and to make proper use of the Joint Consultative Council meeting which is to take place tomorrow morning?

Mr. Foot

It is true that in the other regions settlements have taken place without any dispute. I urge all parties in the discussions tomorrow to try to ensure that that applies to the Eastern Region as well as quickly as possible.

Mr. Prior

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Opposition agree that it would be far better for nothing to be said in the House this afternoon which might make the meeting tomorrow more difficult? Does he further agree that in these difficult times for the railway industry the more information that can be given in advance by management as to its future intentions, and the more discussion that can follow, the more likely are we to achieve good industrial relations at a difficult time for the railway industry? We shall give the Secretary of State every support if he pursues that course.

Mr. Foot

I agree with every word uttered by the right hon. Gentleman. That is an extremely embarrassing situation.

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