§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are able to make a statement on the Kodak dispute.
THE EARL OF GOWRIEMy Lords, the dispute at the Kodak processing plant at Hemel Hempstead is part of a wider issue involving claims for recognition from a number of unions affiliated to the Trades Union Congress. Conciliation officers of the Department of Employment have been closely involved in efforts to secure a settlement. Following their intervention the parties agreed that discussions should continue under an independent chairman.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, while thanking the noble Earl for that reply, may I ask whether it is a fact that after five months of dispute the two sides are no nearer a solution than they were at the start? When will the Government be able to announce the name of the proposed mediator in this dispute?
THE EARL OF GOWRIEMy Lords, as to the first part of the noble Lord's question, it is true that this has been a serious and damaging dispute. That is why the Department for which I am speaking are in daily contact with the parties involved. As to the second part of the question, the independent chairman whom I mentioned in my first Answer is Mr. Tom Claro.
§ BARONESS BURTON or COVENTRYMy Lords, while not wishing to blame either side in this dispute, may I ask the noble Earl whether he is aware that it really and truly is not good enough? Is he further aware that all the customers involved in this—and the total amounts to hundreds of thousands—have already paid their money for their films to be processed? Is he further aware that colour films deteriorate after three 124 months if they are left in this state, and is it possible that something can be done to see that customers who have already paid shall at least have those films which are now at Hemel Hempstead processed before they are ruined? Is he furthermore aware that there has recently been correspondence in one newspaper from one very aggrieved customer to say that he wished to use some of these films as Christmas gifts, which is quite normal? Will the noble Earl please see that somebody gets a move on?
THE EARL OF GOWRIEMy Lords, I can certainly agree that unfortunately all industrial disputes, not only this one, cause a great deal of discomfort and annoyance to consumers, and that is why my right honourable friend's Department is so anxious that a settlement should be reached. I understand that the company concerned has taken steps to draw the attention of the public to the delays in processing.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I am sorry to rise again on my noble friend's Question, but is the Minister aware, first, that films deteriorate, and that if this dispute goes on much longer those films that are at Hemel Hempstead will not be of any use to their owners? Secondly, is the Minister further aware that people have become very tired of seeing in the personal columns of The Times a statement which reads exactly the same each week?
THE EARL OF GOWRIEMy Lords, I have sympathy with anybody who purchases films and cannot get them processed. I understand that the company is storing these films and, I imagine, storing them in conditions which are fairly favourable. But I do not think it is for the Government to comment on that particular issue. This is a dispute between parties, not the Government.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, since more that five months have already elapsed, can the noble Earl give an indication of when the report of the mediator is likely to be received?
THE EARL OF GOWRIEMy Lords, no report, as such, is envisaged. This is not a court of inquiry; there is a dispute between parties and meetings between them have been presided over by the gentleman I named.