PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS (Hansard, 20 April 1978)

§ Mr. Pym (by Private Notice)
asked the Lord President of the Council if he will make a statement about the supply of parliamentary papers?

§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Michael Foot)
As I told the House on 13th April, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service took the initiative with the management of Her Majesty's Stationery Office and the National Graphical Association nationally regarding the industrial unrest at the St. Stephen's Parliamentary Press. I am now pleased to be able to inform the House that this initiative has led to a resumption of normal working being accepted by the chapel concerned.
Obviously, the issues which led to the industrial unrest have yet to be resolved. But I understand that conciliation by ACAS on these issues will begin tomorrow. Whilst I am confident that the ACAS conciliation will be pursued as quickly as possible, the timing cannot be predicted in advance of tomorrow's meeting.
Her Majesty's Stationery Office is making every effort to ensure that normal service to the House will resume at the earliest opportunity.

§ Mr. Pym
Will the Lord President accept that the whole House is extremely grateful that the supply of parliamentary papers has begun again today? He knows the extreme inconvenience and the numerous problems that arise when supplies are interrupted.
We are also glad to know that the underlying problems behind this dispute are to be further investigated. Is the Lord President aware that, naturally, we hope that the processes of conciliation will lead to a permanent solution to this problem? At the end of that process will he make a further statement to the House?

§ Mr. Foot
I thank the right hon. Member for his forbearance in this matter. I say to him and to the House that I fully understand the impatience and the concern about this matter. I know that the House is anxious that there should be a settlement to this dispute and that there should be a longer and better understanding.
Two investigations are being undertaken by ACAS. One deals with the immediate matter to which I have already referred. The other is a longer-term investigation. Both are proceeding speedily, I hope. I shall certainly report to the House as I can.

§ Mr. Fitt
In view of the announcement that was made yesterday by the Prime Minister about the increase in the number of Northern Ireland seats—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I think that the hon. Member thinks that we are on business questions. We have not reached business questions yet.

§ Mr. Dykes
As a result of those discussions with ACAS, can the Leader of the House confirm that the chapel appreciates that the printing of House of Commons papers is not a conventional printing operation? Without wishing to sound constitutionally presumptuous, I must say that there is a special need for continuing the printing of parliamentary papers. Does the chapel now accept that extra argument for Parliament's own papers?

§ Mr. Foot
All of us have always stressed that aspect. I have done so in all the statements that I have made from the Dispach Box.

§ Mr. Fitt
In view of the important announcement made yesterday, will the Leader of the House make all relevant papers available to the House, particularly those that relate to the 1920 debates on the creation of the Northern Ireland State?
Does he remember that in his evidence to your conference, Mr. Speaker, he was not able to say why 12 seats were given to Northern Ireland in the 1920 settlement. Would he arrange—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I am not sure whether the hon. Member is going to relate his question to the current dispute. If not, he will probably catch my eye later.

§ Mr. Fitt
In view of the importance of this subject, will the Leader of the House make available to the House all the relevant papers and arrange for a major debate on this most important issue, which affects the whole constitutional position of the United Kingdom?

§ Mr. Foot
I fully understand my hon. Friend's concern about this matter. But I think that he is raising a question about other forms of parliamentary papers—papers that might be governed by different rules. I shall look at all the questions in all their relevance.