§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the Trades Union Congress/Confederation of British Industry initiative on independent arbitration takes into account issues of national interest including the problems of inflation and consumer interests; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkI have not yet discussed with the TUC and the CBI their recent agreement on conciliation on arbitration. The two bodies have stated that they would expect their agency to operate with due regard for the interest of others and to ensure that all the issues and implications in disputes were thoroughly understood by both sides. I welcome that intention.