§ 46. Mr. Victor Yatesasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will make a statement concerning her recent meeting with representatives of the Clerical and Administrative Workers Union and the Association of Scientific and Technical Workers regarding the present dispute with the National Steel Corporation.
47. Mr. Ted Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what discussions she has now had with the British Steel Corporation about the non-recognition of the Clerical and Administrative Workers Union as a negotiating body for a substantial number of clerks employed in the steel industry, following her meeting with officials of the union on the subject of the dispute.
§ Mr. HattersleyRepresentatives of the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs, and the Clerical and Administrative Workers Union on 27th May expressed their unions' strong resentment at the Corporation's decision not to recognise them for national negotiations.
My right hon. Friend has since discussed the problem with the British Steel Corporation and also with representatives of six organisations which the Corporation have recognised for national negotiations. My right hon. Friend can at present see no solution that would be satisfactory to all parties concerned, nor any immediate initiative which would be likely to help. We are keeping a close watch on the situation and will intervene again if this will help.