§ Mr. Needhamasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will collect information about firms which have joint consultative committees and about the impact on management-employee relationships; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerMy right hon. Friend has no plans to collect information on firms which have joint consultative committees. Under section 1 of the Employment Act 1982, companies with more than 250 employees will have to include in directors' reports for financial years starting from 1 January 1983 a statement about any steps they have taken towards employee involvement.
We are firmly committed to the principle of management informing and consulting employees about matters which affect them and consistently urge companies voluntarily to develop procedures which are appropriate to their particular circumstances.