§ Mr. David Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the nature of the dispute which is disturbing the normal working of Companies House; how long it has continued; how many searches per day are being held up; how many new companies per week are unable to register; and what steps he is taking to deal with the situation.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisA small number of executive staff belonging to the Society of Civil and Public Servants and clerical staff belonging to the Civil and Public Services Association have been on strike since 23 February in furtherance of their claim for the implementation of the findings of the Pay Research Unit from 1 April 1979. This has prevented the Registrar from providing a public search service, normally at the rate of 11,000 searches per day, and540W registering new companies, normally at the rate of 1,200 per week. This action is part of a programme of selective disruption in a number of Government offices called by the unions concerned. Discussions are taking place in a national context in the hope of resolving the situation.