§ 20. Mr. Canavanasked the right hon. Member for Middlesbrough, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what subjects he expects will be discussed at the next meeting between the Commission and trade union representives of the employees of the House.
§ Mr. Arthur BottomleyNegotiations and consultations are usually carried out between representatives of management and trade unions without the direct involvement of the Commission.
§ Mr. CanavanWhen can the trade union side expect a response to its proposals for a procedure agreement on disputes? Does my right hon. Friend agree that the trade union proposals will be far more conducive to good industrial relations than any proposals to impose a no-strike clause, which will be even more restrictive and even more anti-trade union than the notorious Tebbit law?
§ Mr. BottomleyI gather that the consultations normally take place on the Whitley committee, which is now working well. I hope that that will continue, but the Commission will always be interested in hearing views from both management and staff.
§ Mr. HooleyWill my right hon. Friend give an assurance that when the next annual report of the Commission is published, we shall be given some account of these various conversations?
§ Mr. BottomleyThe Commission reports as fully as it can. I doubt whether the trade unions and the management would like the conversations to be published. Most consultations are carried out in a way whereby we hope to achieve the best results without discussion on the Floor of the House.