HC Deb 22 April 1980 vol 983 cc206-7
10. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what replies he has received to his consultative document containing proposals for legislation to restrict blacking.

Mr. Mayhew

We received comments from over 60 organisations and very many individuals. Our revised proposals are contained in a new clause to the Employment Bill which we published before Easter and which was considered by this House last week.

Mr. Miller

Will my hon. and learned Friend take account of the fears expressed by component makers in the motor industry about whether firms in a contractual relationship with a customer who is in dispute should be allowed to recover damages if they suffer loss through being involved in that dispute, of which they form no part?

Mr. Mayhew

I understand the point that my hon. Friend makes. He will have noticed from our debate last week that the action taken against the supplier to whom he refers in his illustration must have, as its sole or principal purpose, the prevention or disruption of the supply of goods or services to the employer with whom the dispute is being conducted. It must also be capable of achieving, or likely to achieve, that result. That is a clearer and tighter restriction than that proposed in the working paper.

Mr. Ron Brown

Has the Minister any proposals to deal with lock-outs? If not, why not, in view of the damage being done to the country?

Mr. Mayhew

The new clause applies to lock-outs.