HC Deb 06 November 1979 vol 973 cc216-7
15. Mr. Needham

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has concluded his consultations with the Trades Union Congress and other interested parties on the Government's proposals for industrial relations.

Mr. Mayhew

My right hon. Friend and I have already had meetings with the TUC, CBI and others on the Government proposals. These consultations are continuing.

Mr. Needham

In the light of Mr. Andrew Leggatt's recent report into the activities of the SLADE art union, will support of the National Enterprise Board, my hon. and learned Friend please confirm that he intends to discuss with the TUC the blackmailing antics of that union in attempting to recruit its members? Will he make it clear to the TUC that, if it does nothing and sits on its backside, at the end of the day it cannot blame the Government for introducing new laws to take effect because of its lack of action?

Mr. Mayhew

Last month the Government published a working paper in which they made it plain that they considered that the law had to be changed to remove the existing immunity which hitherto has protected the action of SLADE, to which Mr. Leggatt's report has drawn attention. While it is always welcome that voluntary action and guidance are taken and expressed, it cannot be enough to leave the protection of individuals to that alone, because it provides no enforceable remedy to individuals who are harmed.

Mr. Douglas

When the Minister meets the TUC, will he tell it where the private sector is taking up the slack?

Mr. Mayhew

The private sector is ready, willing and able to take up the slack. That is something that Labour Members have never learnt.

Mr. McQuarrie

When my hon. and learned Friend meets the TUC, will he ask it to help to ensure that legislation on the closed shop and union reform is brought in at the earliest opportunity? In the small village of New Deer in my constituency, 37 employees are being threatened with a strike by the bakers' union because, for "personal reasons", an apprentice baker has refused to rejoin the union. Is not that a disgusting state of affairs for Labour Members to accept?

Mr. Mayhew

I have already made it clear that the Government regard the Baking Industry (Hours of Work) Act 1954 as anomalous and highly unsatisfactory. I entirely take my hon. Friend's point. The Government are consulting on the proposals which they published in July to provide proper protection for individuals in the operation of the closed shop. We shall continue with those and introduce legislation at an early date.