HC Deb 07 July 1977 vol 934 cc654-5W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of cases investigated by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service in which it has recommended that union recognition would be inappropriate; and in how many cases investigated by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service union recognition has been recommended when the result of an Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service ballot has shown only a minority to be in favour of union recognition.

Mr. Harold Walker

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Palmer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many recognition applications for collective bargaining purposes have been received by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service from trade unions affiliated to the Trades Union Congress; and how many such recognition applications have been received from independent trade unions and employee associations.

Mr. Harold Walker

Only independent trade unions may refer recognition issues to the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service under Section 11 of the Employment Protection Act 1975. I am informed by ACAS that, at the end of June 1977, the Service had received 772 applications from trade unions affiliated to the TUC, and 45 from trade unions not affiliated to the TUC.

Mr. Palmer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disputes arising from conflicting applications for recognition to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service have been settled by conciliation and resultant agreement between the parties; and how many times applications have been withdrawn without agreement after attempted conciliation.

Mr. Harold Walker

I understand from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service that up to the end of June 1977 it had received 13 applications for recognition where there was conflict between two or more trade unions, involving six employers; and that in each case the difference between the unions has been settled.

Mr. Palmer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many trade union applications for recognition to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service are at present under consideration without written reply having been given.

Mr. Harold Walker

I am informed by ACAS that at the end of June 1977 537 applications for recognition were under consideration.

Mr. Palmer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service for recognition for collective bargaining purposes by one trade union affiliated to the Trades Union Congress have been objected to by other affiliated trade unions; in how many instances the parties have been referred to the Trades Union Congress with the knowledge and approval of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service; and in how many instances further action has been taken by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service when one or more unions to the dispute express themselves as dissatisfied with Trades Union Congress adjudication.

Mr. Harold Walker

I understand from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service that up to the end of June 1977 41 applications for recognition made to the service by unions affiliated to the Trades Union Congress have been objected to by other affiliated unions. In all these cases the unions concerned have, with the knowledge and approval of the ACAS, made use of the TUC procedures for resolving such issues. In six of these cases further action has been taken by the ACAS, where one or more of the unions have expressed themselves as dissatisfied.