HC Deb 17 July 1979 vol 970 cc1290-1
16. Mr. David Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for an inquiry into the activities of the Society of Lithographic Artists, Designers and Engravers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mayhew

My right hon. Friend appointed Mr. Andrew Leggatt QC on 7 June to inquire into recent industrial relations development, including in particular union recruitment activities, in the artwork, advertising and associated industries; and to report ". I understand that Mr. Leggatt is now receiving evidence from interested parties, and is aiming to report by early autumn.

Mr. Atkinson

I welcome my hon. and learned Friend's reply, but does he accept that the activities of the Society of Lithographic Artists, Designers and Engravers have shown that our present labour laws allow trade unions to force employees to join by threatening their jobs? Will he undertake, as part of this inquiry, to receive evidence from management which is prevented from managing by the unions, which even determine the customers with whom management is allowed to deal?

Mr. Mayhew

The question of the evidence to be received is a matter for Mr. Leggatt. It would not be right for the Government to intervene. I would expect, however, that evidence from the quarter suggested by my hon. Friend will certainly be given. On the first part of his question, it was the widespread unease about recruiting activities of the two unions concerned that led to the commitment to set up a similar inquiry to this.

Mr. Cryer

Is this inquiry part of the general attack by the Conservative Government on the trade union movement? Will the Minister explain how the Government intend to meet representations from the trade union movement on proposed changes in the legislation set out in the consultation document? Is he prepared to assure the House that if the trade union movement makes strong representations against the Government's iniquitous proposals the Government will change their views?

Mr. Mayhew

The Government have no reason to attack a movement that contains so many millions of their own supporters. If representations are made to the Government against any of the proposals, they will be carefully and genuinely considered. The hon. Gentleman will recognise that these working papers contain no proposal that was not foreshadowed in the manifesto. There is a commitment to the broad strategy of the proposals. At the same time, there is a genuine willingness and anxiety to listen to what is said to us about them.