§ 3.23 p.m.
§ Lord Orr-EwingMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied that the draft Code of Practice on Picketing issued under the Employment Act 1980 is being observed.
The Minister of State, Privy Council Office and Minister for the Arts (The Earl of Gowrie)My Lords, there is evidence of a considerable reduction in the incidence of secondary picketing and other abuses which led to the introduction of both the 1980 Employment Act and the code. I regret to say that there have been some instances of large-scale picketing which clearly conflict with the code's guidance on numbers; but it is of course for the police to judge in each case whether or not the number of pickets constitutes a threat to public order.
§ Lord Orr-EwingMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that the code says that pickets and their organisers should ensure that, in general. the number of pickets does not exceed six? Has he noticed that in the Mercury case and other cases the number of pickets has been in hundreds rather than six? As many people are trying to reduce tension and because the general atmosphere of industrial relations has improved over the years, would he consider, now that legislation is pending, whether there are any further steps that might be included that would reduce the risk of violence owing to the excessive numbers?
The Earl of GowrieMy Lords, I sympathise with my noble friend's desire to see a continued industrial calm overall, while I share his anxieties where there are breaches of good practice as outlined in the code in terms of picketing. However, the evidence from academic research, I am advised, shows that picket organisers generally pay attention to the code's guidance, and that usually the numbers are in single figures.