HC Deb 24 February 1969 vol 778 cc199-201W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what steps she plans to take to prevent the recurrence of industrial action by members of the Clerical and Administrative Workers' Union in the steel industry, which led last year to the establishment of a court of inquiry.

Mr. Hattersley

Following publication of the Report of the Court of Inquiry in August last year, my Department, the British Steel Corporation and the unions concerned took part in discussions which unfortunately did not lead to an agreed solution of the problem of trade union recognition for white collar employees in the nationalised steel industry. In December, my right hon. Friend sought the help of the T.U.C. which made recommendations to the unions involved and the British Steel Corporation, which has statutory responsibility for deciding questions of trade union recognition in the industry.

74. Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what estimate she has made of the loss of production of steel products and motor cars which occurred as a result of the industrial action of the Clerical and Administrative Workers' Union in May to July, 1968 in campaigning for recognition from the British Steel Corporation.

Mr. Hattersley

Official estimates are not available of the loss of production involved. It is estimated that a loss of 44,000 working days were incurred by those on strike and by those laid off as a result.

75. Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will now implement the recommendations of the recent court of inquiry under Lord Pearson into the dispute between the Clerical and Administrative Workers' Union members and the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs, on the one hand, and the British Steel Corporation, on the other.

Mr. Hattersley

Following publication in August 1968, of the Report of the Court of Inquiry under Lord Pearson, the British Steel Corporation had discussions with all the trade unions concerned to explore the possibilities of finding a solution acceptable to all parties on the lines recommended in the Report. Subsequently my Department also had discussions with all the organisations concerned. These discussions did not result in agreement on a solution. My right hon. Friend has no power to impose the recommendations of Courts of Inquiry.

76. Mr. Booth

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if, in view of the recommendations of the Pearson inquiry in the dispute between the Clerical and Allied Workers Union and the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs, on the one hand, and the British Steel Corporation, on the other, and the recommendations of the Trades Union Congress in the same dispute, if she will now reconsider the proposals in the recent White Paper for the setting up of a commission on industrial relations.

Mr. Harold Walker

No. We still consider that the proposals in the White Paper are appropriate.