EMPLOYEE INFORMATION AND CONSULTATION (Hansard, 18 June 1991)

§ Viscount Ullswater

The Government firmly believes that information and consultation are best promoted on a non-statutory basis. Only in this way can companies develop the arrangements which are best suited to the particular needs of their business and their employees. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Employment recently launched, jointly with the Confederation of British Industry, a major campaign to promote effective employee involvement practices, including information and consultation, throughout the economy. My right honourable friend has also proposed a new European Community initiative which would commit all member states to take steps to develop employee involvement based on flexibility and a respect for the diversity of national tradition and practice. In addition the Government believe that financial participation is a vitally important element of employee involvement and one where the Government can play a direct role. Eleven of the last 12 budgets have therefore included measures to promote financial participation of employees in the success of the business for which they work.