HC Deb 20 January 1972 vol 829 cc225-6W
56. Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the facilities his Department can offer to individual engineering employers and local union representatives for the resolution of industrial disputes, in view of the ending of the 1922 procedure agreement and the breakdown of talks on new procedure arrangements.

Mr. Bryan

The conciliation and advisory services of my Department are available to employers and trade union

Stoppages of work due to industrial disputes Sickness Industrial injury (industrial accidents and prescribed industrial diseases)
Working days lost in all stoppages in progress (United Kingdom)*
Year Total Of which known official Year ended Days of certified incapacity (Great Britain)†
millions
1965 2,925,000 607,000 5th June, 1965‡ 299 23
1969 6,846,000 1,613,000 31st May, 1969 329 23
30th May, 1970 342 23
1971§ 13,558,000 3,830,000 6th June, 1971 Not yet available
* Separate estimates are available only for stoppages known to be official.
† For national insurance purposes on the basis of six working days in a week. Days of incapacity following termination of injury benefit are included under sickness.
‡ 53 week period.
§ Provisional.

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many days were lost to industry in 1971 due to sickness, injury and industrial disputes, respectively.

Mr. Dudley Smith

The provisional total of working days lost in 1971 as a result of stoppages of work due to industrial disputes in the United Kingdom is 13,558,000. The latest available Department of Health and Social Security statistics of certified incapacity for

representatives. Facilities for arbitration can also be provided where required. My officers are always ready to discuss any problems in the industrial relations field.