44. Mr. Ron Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on recent
developments in the shipbuilding industry.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe threat of highly damaging industrial action within British Shipbuilders has now receded. At the meeting between BS management and unions on 2 November it was agreed
(i) that BS and union representatives would work rapidly towards reaching a national agreement, reflecting the principles laid down in the national framework agreement for survival proposed by BS on 12 October and embodying the adoption of the best working practices currently in operation 474W in the industry;(ii) that within the framework of this national agreement local agreements on revised working practices will be negotiated at yard level. Provided that both national and local agreements have been signed by 15 December, the corporation will be prepared to make a payment of £7 a week, backdated to 1 November, for so long as these revised practices are fully operated.