§ 54. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether his attention has been drawn to the dispute between the General Electric Company and ASTMS which has been taking place since 4th April and has resulted in the suspension without pay of 5,800 people; and whether he will seek now to intervene to bring about a settlement.
§ Mr. BoothThe independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has been actively involved in seeking to bring about a settlement and has met the two sides several times, both separately and together. The ASTMS has now claimed that the company is in breach of the fair wages resolution and it will rest with the Industrial Arbitration Board to reach a decision. I understand that the union has recommended that normal working be resumed from next Monday, pending the arbitration hearing.