§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State forTrade and Industry what representations his Department has received concerning Lufthansa's dismissal of workers following a strike. [96244]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonThe Department has received a number of letters urging the Government to give its support to the strikers in the Skychefs dispute. However, it is not the Government's policy to intervene in industrial disputes or be seen to take sides by commenting on the conduct of one side or the other. Disputes are a matter for the parties concerned to resolve with the assistance of the independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) where both parties agree.
We intend to bring Section 16 and Schedule 5 of the Employment Relations Act 1999 into force by Easter next year. These provisions will extend the right of protection for those dismissed for taking lawfully organised industrial action to complain to a tribunal of unfair dismissal. They are designed to stop precipitate dismissals and to place an onus on both employers and unions to settle disputes by negotiation.