HC Deb 13 February 1979 vol 962 cc983-4

Mr. Jonathan Aitken accordingly presented a Bill to resolve trades disputes in industries or services where industrial action causes emergencies affecting life and death; to set up arbitration procedures which come into effect after the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has certified that all normal negotiating procedures have been exhausted; to make provisions for an independent arbitration tribunal; and to define circumstances in which the decisions of this tribunal may, by prior agreement, be binding on the parties thereby withdrawing the trade unions' right to call a strike; and to give guidelines to the tribunal as to the criteria it should take into account when making an award including special recognition for the agreed withdrawal of the right to strike; And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time upon Friday next and to be printed. [Bill 83.]