HC Deb 08 March 1983 vol 38 cc371-2W
33. Mr. Madel

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider legislation to inhibit strikes in essential services.

37. Mr. John Carlisle

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to review the possession of the right to strike by workers in essential services.

46. Mr. Colvin

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give further consideration to the introduction of legislation to ban strikes in certain essential services; and if he will make a statement.

52. Mr. Aitken

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he intends to introduce legislation to reduce the frequency of strikes in essential services; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

I refer my hon. Friends to my right hon. Friend's earlier reply to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick).

57. Mr. Gorst

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met the director general of the Engineering Employers' Federation to discuss legislation dealing with industrial action in essential services.

Mr. Gummer

My right hon. Friend has frequent meetings with the director general of the Engineering Employers Federation and last met him on 28 February 1983. The EEF put forward views on a number of possible measures bearing on strikes in essential services during consultations on the proposals now contained in the Employment Act 1982. My right hon. Friend discussed these with the then director general in January 1982.

64. Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will seek a meeting with the Trades Union Congress to discuss means of preventing strikes in the essential public services.

Mr. Gummer

My right hon. Friend has repeatedly told the TUC that he would welcome a meeting with it at any time to discuss industrial relations issues of current concern. My right hon. Friend has just written to the General Secretary urging the TUC to reconsider its decision not to take part in consultations on the Green Paper on "Democracy in Trade Unions". It has always been our practice to consult widely before putting proposals for legislation before Parliament. It is notworthy that some senior trade unionists have urged the TUC to take a proper part in consultation, instead of allowing their views to go unrepresented.

Mr. Bendall

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress to discuss the effects of strikes in essential services.

Mr. Gummer

My right hon. Friend has not discussed that issue with the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress.