Lord CHELWOODasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the terms of reference of the inter-departmental inquiries into industrial democracy outside the private sector of industry, when will they be complete, from whom evidence is being taken, and whether they will give an assurance that their conclusions will be published and that at least three months will be available after this for consultations before legislation is presented to Parliament.
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Peart)In his reply to the noble Baroness, Lady Stewart, on 11th February 1976, my predecessor the noble Lord, Lord Shepherd (Hansard Vol. 368, col. 183-4), gave the effective terms of reference for all the public sector studies. Public sector managements and unions and other interested parties have been invited to five their views. The studies are expected to be completed by the end of the year so that the Government can take an overall view of the private and public sectors after the Bullock Committee has reported on the private sector. We shall announce our conclusions in due course and I can assure the noble Lord that an adequate period for consultation will be allowed before any legislation is introduced in Parliament.
House adjourned at three minutes past nine o'clock.