HC Deb 24 January 1978 vol 942 cc558-9W
Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects an announcement from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Services on the situation pertaining to recognition of the Shipbuilding and Allied Industries Management Association as a negotiating union, in view of the unanimous recommendation made last year by the British Shipbuilders and the Shipbuilding and Allied Industries Management Association working party that recognition, equal to that of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions, be given.

Mr. Harold Walker

I understand from ACAS that the recognition issue between SAIMA and British Shipbuilders and its subsidiaries which SAIMA had referred to the service under Section 11 of the Employment Protection Act 1975 lapsed on 7th December 1977 with the transfer of engagements of SAIMA to the Engineers and Managers Association. The Service has informed SAIMA to that effect. I understand from the service that following an approach from British Shipbuilders it is considering what assistance it might be possible to give by means of conciliation.