HC Deb 16 January 2003 vol 397 cc809-10
8. Mr. Bill Wiggin (Leominster)

What steps her Department is taking to reduce the number of days lost to strikes. [90939]

The Minister for Employment Relations, Industry and the Regions (Alan Johnson)

Although days lost through industrial action have increased over the past year, the number of disputes remains near the lowest ever recorded. The Government fully support the expert work of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service in helping parties improve their employment relations and have increased its funding by more than 80 per cent. since coming to power.

Mr. Wiggin

I cannot accept that the Minister's answer was particularly helpful when the number of days lost to strikes has increased from 235,000 in 1997 to more than 1 million in the past 12 months. How can the Government do more to cut the number of days lost and make Britain a better place in which to do business?

Alan Johnson

The hon. Gentleman was asking about levels of industrial action. The figures for days lost through industrial action are notoriously lumpy, for example, a one-day dispute by local government workers contributes 500,000 days lost to the figures. However, when we get the final month's figures, the actual number of disputes this year will be shown to be the lowest ever recorded.

Mr. Andrew Robathan (Blaby)

What about the Post Office?

Alan Johnson

As for the Post Office, the level is the lowest for 25 years. If we define good government by days lost through industrial action, the figure under this Government is 36 per cent. lower than under the Major Government. Using that definition, we are a very good Government.

Mr. Tim Yeo (South Suffolk)

Will the Minister confirm that industry is not only plagued with strikes—in fact it has had its worst year since 1990, with more days lost than at any time over the past 12 years—but that manufacturing productivity is rising at only half the rate that it was when the Government were elected; business investment has just recorded its worst fall since 1996; the trade balance is worse than at any time since—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman's question is too wide and relates to a question that was not called because the Member was absent.