§ 12. Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will review current employment laws as they relate to the threatened dismissal of staff without compensation in the light of the dispute at Manifold Industries, Leyton; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThere is no obligation on any party in an industrial dispute to inform the Government about the dipute, or action which may be taken in connection with it. On the basis of such information as is available about 171 this particular dispute, however, there appears to be no reason to change any aspect of current industrial relations law.
§ Mr. CohenDoes the Minister agree that the management of Manifold Industries has treated its workers shabbily? After its initial intimidatory action, the management has avoided all negotiations, including those via the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. The management is using Tory industrial relations law to avoid paying proper compensation, while it clears the decks to make a fortune in a future, speculative sell-out. Is not sacking workers without compensation an appalling use of Tory industrial relations law, which should be changed?
§ Mr. NichollsIt is not up to me to pass judgment on any of the matters which the hon. Gentleman raises. If his allegations are true, the workers have remedies open to them for unfair dismissal, when they may go before an industrial tribunal, or for breach of contract, when they may go before a civil court.