§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the working of the Industrial Relations Act; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Maurice MacmillanI am satisfied that the Act has brought important benefits, not least to union members—as is shown by the fact that over 15,000 individual workers have brought complaints334W to industrial tribunals that the rights given to them under the Act have been infringed. But obviously the Act would be more effective if the trade unions would make full use of it. Employers have, as a result of the Act and the associated code of practice, reviewed their procedures or instituted procedures where none existed.
The Industrial Court has had considerable success in settling disputes brought to it, many of them by achieving voluntary settlements between those concerned. I welcome the fact that the TUC allows its members to defend themselves before the court, although a few unions have refused to do so.
We have made it clear on a number of occasions that we are prepared to examine carefully any constructive suggestions for amending the Act.