§ 17. Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to reform the law relating to unfair dismissals.
§ Mr. MayhewThe Government's proposals in relation to unfair dismissal were 226 published in a working paper on 25 September which was lodged in the Library of the House of Commons.
§ Mr. MeacherWill the hon. and learned Gentleman confirm that his Department commissioned a survey of 30 small firms, which showed that no small businesses suffered particularly from the unfair dismissal laws and that in fact only 17 per cent. of them thought that the industrial relations laws at present were a hindrance? Will he therefore accept that his own Department's survey showed that no change to these laws on unfair dismissal could be justified on grounds of significant burden on the employer?
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir. Surveys commissioned by my Department have shown that significant numbers of small firms have been influenced in their employment policy by the provisions of the Employment Protection Act for unfair dismissal. Many surveys commissioned by chambers of trade and similar organisations have reinforced that message. If the hon. Gentleman does not know that, I am not surprised that his policy is so inappropriate to the needs of small businesses.