§ 13. Mr. Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham)what representations he has received on the fairness at work White Paper. [55066]
§ The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Mr. Ian McCartney)The Department has received 474 responses, reflecting a wide range of views, to the White Paper on fairness at work published on 21 May. I have placed a list of respondents in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. MarsdenI assume that all sides in British industry have replied to the proposals. Will my hon. Friend lend his support to making partnerships in British industry work? As a former manager in British industry, I have seen the damage caused by conflict and disagreement. We need far more compromise and reconciliation. What are my hon. Friend's views on the proposed partnership fund?
§ Mr. McCartneyThere has been an overwhelmingly positive response to the concept of partnership at work set out in the White Paper, and to the specific proposal for establishing a partnership fund for innovative projects to improve the training of managers in the workplace and employee representatives, to encourage partnership approaches across a range of activities currently taking place in companies. That will ensure over time that the Government put their money where their mouth is and invest in processes to improve industrial and employee relationships across the workplaces of Britain. I am delighted to say that discussion with the social partners so far will enable my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to make an announcement about those matters in due course.