HC Deb 24 July 1972 vol 841 cc209-10W
Mr. Ronald Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he activated paragraph 65 of the Industrial Relations Draft Code of Practice laid before Parliament under the Industrial Relations Act, 1971, Section3(1), when considering changes in the relationship of the British Overseas Airways Corporation to British European Airways and other State-owned airline enterprises.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The purpose of the Code of Practice is to give guidance for the promotion of good industrial relations and does not fall to be activated by me.

Mr. Ronald Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the Official Report the dates on which the trade union side of the Joint Council for the Airline Industry were invited to discuss proposed changes in the State-owned airlines in accordance with paragraph 68, subsections (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), of the Draft Code of Practice laid before Parliament under the Industrial Relations Act, 1971, Section 3(1), published on Wednesday, 19th January, 1972.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

No. The question of consultative arrangements with trade unions is one for decision by the British Airways Group.

Mr. Ronald Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in view of paragraph 52 of the Industrial Relations Draft Code of Practice which enunciates the principles that communications and consultations are particularly important in times of change, and that the achievement of change is a joint concern of management and employees, he is satisfied that this principle has been acted upon in the proposals announced for major changes in the state-owned airlines.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The need for effective consultation on major decisions that could lead to changes in employees' working arrangements is fully recognised by the Chairman of the British Airways Board who has publicly announced that when the recommendations of various task forces have been received by the Board, there will be consultation with the trade unions before any changes that would affect the Board's employees are put into effect.