HC Deb 04 July 1978 vol 953 cc153-4W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made under the Employment Protection Act 1975 in promoting collective bargaining by means of representation of employers and employees.

Mr. Harold Walker

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service,

period 58.7 per cent. of people who made applications were accepted for training.

Dr. Hampson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table to show on what type of courses those in training on training opportunities scheme courses at 31st January 1978 were engaged, and break down the totals into the following categories: 19 to 25 years, 25 to 29 years, over 40 years and male and female.

Mr. Golding

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the information available is as follows:

ember 1977 of trainees of all ages showed the following:

which was established as a statutory body by the Employment Protection Act, is charged with the general duty of promoting the improvement of industrial relations and in particular of encouraging the extension of collective bargaining between employers and trade unions. I refer the hon. Member to the annual reports of the Service for 1976 and 1977, copies of which have been laid before the House, which set out in considerable detail its activities in this connection including discharging its statutory responsibilities on trade union recognition issues, conciliation, mediation and other forms of third party assistances to both sides of industry.