HC Deb 26 February 1991 vol 186 cc789-90
14. Mr. Waller

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number of working days lost because of industrial disputes in the six months to (a) December 1978 and (b) December 1990.

Mr. Forth

There were 6 million working days lost in the six months to December 1978; in the six months to December 1990, just 300,000 days were lost. That is less than one twentieth of the 1978 figure.

Mr. Waller

Does my hon. Friend detect a link between the sharp reduction in the number of strikes and the Government's industrial relations reforms? Does he recall that the right hon. and learned Member for Monklands, East (Mr. Smith) called ballots an irrelevant effrontery? Do not the consequences since that time prove that his verdict is entirely wrong?

Mr. Forth

Yes, my hon. Friend is right to say that the Government's steady but consistent policy of reform of industrial relations has brought the trade unions into a proper relationship with their members and society at large. A vital by-product of that process is the dramatic fall in industrial strikes, which has been a major factor in attracting inward investment to this country and in increasing employment.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

Will the Minister confirm that, every year since 1978, the number of days lost through injury and health problems at work has vastly dominated losses in every other sphere? Why are there ministerial tantrums when the issue of industrial disputes is raised, but complacency and inaction when people are injured or die at work?

Mr. Forth

I am disappointed that the hon. Gentleman should criticise the excellent work of the independent

Textile footwear and clothing Paper, printing and publishing
Notifications quoting closure as reason All notified redundancies Notifications quoting closure as reason All notified redundancies
Establishments Employees Establishments Employees Establishments Employees Establishments Employees
1990
August 18 882 34 2,062 12 584 25 930
September 14 867 38 1,640 5 105, 15 515
October 14 977 41 2,069 7 176 45 1,555
November 13 597 45 1,708 11 347 34 1,066
December 11 1,073 32 1,781 9 574 28 945
1991
January 16 1,686 31 2,169 10 371 33 898

Health and Safety Executive and Health and Safety Commission, which discharge fully and effectively their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. They have our full support. I am sorry to see that they do not have the Opposition's support.