P and O

HC Deb 11 March 1991 vol 187 cc381-2W

Mr. Dunnachie

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what response he has made to the ruling of the International Labour Organisation in respect of the dismissal of staff involved in an industrial dispute with the P and O shipping company in 1988; what is the relationship between the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 and the ILO conventions on freedom of association; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Forth

There has been no such ruling. Having considered certain complaints from the National Union of Seamen, the International Labour Organisation's commit-tee on freedom of association—CFA—has made certain recommendations. The CFA has referred these to the ILO committee of experts. The Government will continue to respond fully to all parts of the ILO supervisory machinery on this matter as and when appropriate.

The Government remain convinced that nothing in United Kingdom general employment legislation—includ-ing the provisions of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978, as subsequently amended—is incompatible with guarantees afforded by ratified ILO conventions.