HC Deb 19 June 1978 vol 952 c54W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ask the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service to investigate the pattern of delays caused at large capital projects as a result of labour disputes occurring as the contract approaches completion.

Mr. Harold Walker

In 1976 a working party of the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Construction Economic Development Committee produced a report on "Engineering Construction Performance" which made recommendations relating to industrial relations. The EDC is currently engaged in following up the report's recommendations and at the request of the National Economic Development Council I have arranged to keep progress on them under review. I have taken the chair at a series of major meetings convened for this purpose.

I doubt if a further inquiry by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service is called for at this stage.