HC Deb 21 December 1982 vol 34 cc818-9
13. Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he plans to meet the leaders of the Trades Union Congress to discuss the working of the Employment Act 1982.

Mr. Waddington

As my right hon. Friend has made clear to the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, we are always ready to discuss with him and other trade union leaders our industrial relations legislation, or any other matters of mutual interest. They have not yet taken up our offer.

Mr. Chapman

While I regret that the TUC leaders have not yet taken up that offer, may I ask my hon. and learned Friend whether he agrees that the TUC campaign, pursued and planned against the provisions of the 1982 Act, is highly reprehensible, especially when the TUC leaders apparently misunderstand the basic need to restore natural rights to both trade unionists and non-trade union members in what all should regard as a democracy?

Mr. Waddington

I agree with my hon. Friend. It is disgraceful that the TUC should be spending £1 million on a campaign against an Act passed by a democratically elected Parliament and should then come begging to the Government for money for the training of shop stewards.

Mr. Cryer

As the Minister seems so anxious to protect workers, may I ask why the Government are pursuing a vendetta against trade unions through a massive amount of legislation, when he knows that the greatest number of working days lost results from industrial injury? Why do not the Government take action to protect workers from industrial injury? Why have the Government done virtually nothing about the 41 recommendations of the Simpson committee on asbestos?

Mr. Waddington

The last proposition put forward by the hon. Gentleman is a load of nonsense. He knows that the Health and Safety Commission is about to bring forward a number of proposals for implementing the recommendations made by the Simpson committee. The hon. Gentleman also talks nonsense when he refers to a vendetta against the trade union movement. The 1982 Act gives greater protection to firms and individuals against abuse of industrial power. That is not a vendetta against the trade union movement. The 1982 Act restricts indiscriminate and unjustifiable action. That is not a vendetta against the trade union movement. The 1982 Act makes trade unions vulnerable for actions for damages in the same way as trade union officers are already vulnerable. That is not a vendetta against the trade union movement.