§ 3. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will meet the Confederation of British Industry to discuss the long-term improvement of industrial relations.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Peter Bottomley)The long-term improvement of industrial relations is an important topic of discussion in our frequent contacts with representatives of the CBI.
§ Mr. KnoxDoes my hon. Friend agree that greater employee participation has an important part to play in the long-term improvement of industrial relations, and will he emphasise the importance and urgency of the matter when he next meets the CBI?
§ Mr. BottomleyYes, Sir. Employee involvement and participation and the spread of share ownership help to persuade people to work together for the prosperity of the country and the security of their own jobs.
§ Mr. James LamondHow can there be any improvement in industrial relations when the Government spend all their time bashing the trade union movement, legislating against it and trying to destroy it? How can such a Government turn round and make mealy-mouthed satements about their interest in good industrial relations?
§ Mr. BottomleyIf the hon. Gentleman believes that spreading democracy within the trade unions amounts to bashing them, he takes a different view from that taken by most people and members of trade unions.