§ 17. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will in future contracts with Lucas Aerospace include a provision that there shall be no victimisation of employees who have taken part in the firm's conversion plans.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallNo; these are matters to be settled between management and the recognised representatives of the work force within the established legal framework.
§ Mr. AllaunIs the Minister aware that his Department is still party to the agreement with the company, its 12 plants and the unions to examine alternative product proposals aimed at maintaining the jobs there? Is he aware that one of the men principally involved in that agreement, Ernie Scarbrow, who is chairman of the shop stewards, is under threat of 960 dismissal through having been too active in seeing that that agreement is carried out?
§ Mr. MarshallI understand the hon. Gentleman's point, but I find it difficult to accept the matters in the way that he has put them. Certainly the Department has carried out fully its part of the tripartite agreement of February 1979.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldDoes not the Minister understand that Ernie Scarbrow has been disciplined for the same alleged crime as Derek Robinson, in that he was merely trying to communicate with the membership that he represents? Do the Government still believe that trade union leaders and convenors have a right to communicate with their membership?
§ Mr. MarshallThe hon. Gentleman perpetually seeks to come in on these matters, and he has reminded the House of his connection with the Red Robbo case. I do not think that that is a good precedent upon which he should argue this matter. These are matters between management and the established trade union channels.