§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in HANSARD a detailed list for the longest convenient stated period of time of registered trade unions or officials of the Trades Union Congress which have officially advised him of their support for the Government's Industrial Relations Bill.
§ Mr. BryanNo. It is the normal practice for details of consultations between Government Departments and outside organisations to be treated as confidential.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will 430W give an assurance that, in appointing persons to the various judicial and semi-judicial positions connected with the Industrial Relations Bill, he will avoid appointing persons who have taken an active part in party political activities during the past 20 years.
§ Mr. BryanUnder the Industrial Relations Bill my right hon. Friend only appoints the members of the Commission on Industrial Relations and lay members of Industrial Tribunals. The most suitable persons will be appointed irrespective of their party political activities to those and other positions set up under the Bill.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is now able to say when the draft code of practice as proposed under the Industrial Relations Bill is likely to be published; what discussions with the Trades Union Congress and other interested parties have taken place on the preparation of this code; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BryanMy right hon. Friend hopes to publish a draft of the code as a basis for consultation shortly. No formal consultations have taken place so far with the T.U.C. or other interested parties, but after publication of the draft there will be ample opportunity for comment and discussion before the code is submitted to Parliament.