§ LORD DELACOURT-SMITHasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what date the Consultative Document on the Industrial Relations Bill was published; what numbers of the document were distributed; by what date the document was available in sufficient quantities for all organisations interested to have been able to obtain one; by what date comments were requested; what volume of comment was received; and whether Her Majesty's Government is fully satisfied that the time was adequate for the preparation of comments and for the consideration of such observations before the publication of the Bill.
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD DRUMALBYN)The Consultative Document on the Industrial Relations Bill was issued on October 5, 1970, and was made available at the Department of Employment's employment exchanges and at inquiry points in regional and headquarters offices from October 8, 1970: 127,000 copies have been distributed.
The Document suggested that it would be helpful if observations and comments could reach the Department before the end of October, 1970, and pointed out 762WA that, owing to the exigencies of the Parliamentary timetable, it might not be possible to take account of views received after November 13 in the preparation of the Bill. Views and representations after that date have been taken into account. Between October 5 and November 13 the Department of Employment received about 900 letters containing comments and suggestions. During this period and since, detailed discussions have been held with a number of interested organisations. These included a general discussion with the T.U.C. on October 13.
The Government is fully satisfied that the time allowed for the preparation and consideration of comments was adequate. The timetable was designed to allow Parliament as much time as possible to consider the Bill. The substance of the Government's policy was already well known, and this policy and a wide range of proposals for the reform of industrial relations (many of them similar in form or intent to those outlined in the Consultative Document) had been under intense debate for at least two years. Moreover, the Secretary of State for Employment had indicated that he was prepared to consider constructive points put to him at any time before or during the passage of the Bill through Parliament. Many organisations have taken advantage of this and amendments to the Bill have resulted.
House adjourned at two minutes before eight o'clock.