§ Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will take steps to foster voluntary collective bargaining by abolishing redundant wages councils.
§ Mr. BryanIt is the Government's policy to foster the growth of voluntary collective bargaining and to this end my right hon. Friend will encourage the abolition of wages councils where they are no longer needed to maintain reasonable standards of pay and conditions of work.
The Wages Councils Act was recently amended by the Industrial Relations Act in order to assist this process, and my right hon. Friend hopes that unions will make full use of their new right to apply unilaterally for the abolition of councils on the grounds that they represent a substantial proportion of the workers in the industries concerned.
For his part my right hon. Friend intends to make use of the amended powers to refer cases to the Commission on Industrial Relations for its advice on whether abolition or variation of scope in particular cases would be appropriate. As a start my right hon. Friend his today referred to the commission the following 15 councils: 38W
The Ready-made and Wholesale Bespoke Tailoring Wages Council.The Dressmaking and Women's Light Clothing Wages Council (England and Wales).The Dressmaking and Women's Light Clothing Wages Council (Scotland).The Wholesale Mantle and Costume Wages Council.The Shirtmaking Wages Council.The Hat, Cap and Millinery Wages Council.The Corset Wages Council.The Retail Bespoke Tailoring Wages Council (England and Wales).The Retail Bespoke Tailoring Wages Council (Scotland).The Rubber Proofed Garment Making Industry Wages Council.The Stamped or Pressed Metal Wares Wages Council.The Hollow-ware Wages Council.The Pin, Hook and Eye and Snap Fastener Wages Council.The Keg and Drum Wages Council.The Coffin Furniture and Cerement Making Wages Council.