HC Deb 19 May 1975 vol 892 cc242-3W
25. Mr. Edelman

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what part the appointment of a trade unionist to the board of Alfred Herbert, Coventry, is designed to play in his general plans for industrial democracy.

Mr. Benn

None. But quite apart from issues of industrial democracy I have to make appointments of those with industrial experience and these are not confined to management.

Mr. Edelman

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what salary he proposes to pay the trade unionist whom he intends to appoint to the board of Alfred Herbert, Coventry; and what discussions he has had with the workforce at Alfred Herbert about the terms and conditions of this appointment.

Mr. Benn

I was proposing to invite the board of Alfred Herbert to appoint the trade unionist in question to a non-executive directorship. As such, it would have been the company's responsibility to determine the salary and conditions of appointment.

Mr. Edelman

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what are his intentions in connection with the appointment of a trade unionist to the board of Alfred Herbert, Coventry; what discussions he had had with the workforce at Alfred Herbert on this matter; and in what form these discussions took place.

Mr. Benn

As I have indicated to my hon. Friend today in reply to another Question, the proposed appointment was intended to strengthen the board of the company. The reasons were explained to the trade union officials in the company by my representative. I also discussed this among other questions when I met representatives of the workforce and of the management on 12th May to consider the proposals they were putting forward for the company's future.