ADVERTISING: UNION ACTION AND UNEMPLOYMENT

HL Deb 13 March 1979 vol 399 cc625-6WA

Baroness HORNSBY-SMITH

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in furtherance of their policy to reduce unemployment they will represent to NGA and SLADE that their action in pressing industrial firms to cease advertising in certain provincial papers is denying "local unemployed" opportunities for employment.

Lord WALLACE of COSLANY

I understand that it is at present unclear as to what the effects of the unions' action in this case might be. However, the matter is being kept under observation and if any detrimental effects of the unions' action on employment opportunities were to come to light, this would certainly be borne in mind in any discussions which the Government might have with the unions concerned. Action of the kind complained of is not unusual where, as it appears in this case, the employer takes on a strong anti-union line.