§ 40. Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the use of the Conciliation and Arbitration Service to date to resolve industrial disputes.
§ Mr. BoothI am glad to report that there seems to be an increasing willingness on the part of both unions and employers to accept the help of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service in the avoidance and resolution of disputes on a voluntary basis. I understand that requests for assistance are more than double the number dealt with by my Department's conciliation service before the establishment of the ACAS.