HC Deb 02 February 1982 vol 17 cc118-9
8. Mr. Whitney

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many industrial disputes commenced during the last two years; and if he will make a statement.

4. Mr. Waddington

The number of industrial stoppages recorded by my Department as beginning in 1980 was 1,330. For 1981 the provisional figure is 1,280, the lowest figure for 40 years.

Mr. Whitney

I thank my hon. and learned Friend for that reply. Does he agree that the figures show a return to a sense of realism in British industry, and that it is only if the strike continues to be rejected as a weapon of first resort that we shall achieve a genuine economic recovery?

Mr. Waddington

Certainly, the figures are encourageing. Fewer days were lost through strikes in 1981 than in any year since 1976. Clearly, the figures show a greater realism and responsibility, as well as a realisation that strikes destroy jobs and are an expensive luxury that we cannot afford.

Mr. Pavitt

Does the Minister realise that for every three days lost through industrial stoppages in 1980, 27 days were lost through ill health? Will he seek to persuade his right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to put public expenditure into an occupational Health Service, which would do a great deal for the productivity and competitiveness of our nation?

Mr. Waddington

The fact that many days are lost through ill health is no reason to ignore the enormous number of days that were lost in the past through industrial disputes. It is not for me to answer the hon. Gentleman's question, but I hope that he will support Conservative Members who are saying that it is to the advantage of all of us if this new realism in industry is cultivated.

Mr. Madel

Does my hon. and learned Friend agree that one of the reasons why we have had a reasonable degree of industrial peace during the past two years is that the Employment Act 1980 struck the right balance between management and unions, and that both management and unions are operating the Act carefully and sensibly?

Mr. Waddington

It is true that when the 1980 Act went through the House we heard many warlike noises, and we were told that the result of the Act would be conflict in industry. It shows how little Labour Members speak for the working people of this country in that none of that conflict has arisen.

Mr. Harold Walker

If industrial relations are showing such a marked improvement, what justification is there for the Secretary of State choosing this moment to introduce a Bill that can only further poison industrial relations? Is it not true that part of the improvement is due to the fact that many workers are now workless, and that there is no scope for striking in the dole queue?

Mr. Waddington

There is a simple answer to the right hon. Gentleman's question. The need for the legilsation arises from the need for there to be more safeguards for the rights of individuals and the need to define more clearly what is and what is not acceptable in industrial action.