47. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she is aware of the problems which the Federation of Ambulance Personnel has experienced in obtaining recognition for negotiation purposes; whether she will refer the matter to the Commission on Industrial Relations with an instruction to ascertain the majority wishes of the ambulance personnel; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI am aware of this problem. The National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Services (Manual Workers) has already instituted an inquiry under Dr. W. E. J. McCarthy of Nuffield College, Oxford, and the former Director of Research on the Donovan Commission, into the causes and circumstances of recent industrial action over a claim by the Federation of Ambulance Personnel for recognition for negotiating purposes.
I would hope that this matter will be resolved as a result of this inquiry.