Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Employers' Co-operation)

HC Deb 11 June 1979 vol 968 cc79-80W

Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he plans to introduce legislation to amend the Employment Protection Act in order to ensure that employers have to co-operate with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

Mr. Mayhew

Questions about the willingness of employers to co-operate with ACAS have arisen only in the context of the union recognition provisions—sections 11–15—of the 1975 Employment Protection Act and on these the service itself has said in its most recent annual report that its essentially voluntary role in conciliation on industrial disputes and in giving advice to employers and trade unions does not sit easily with the statutory duties in sections 11–15 of the Employment Protection Act".

The Government are aware of other criticisms of the operation of the recognition provisions both from employers and unions, and in consultation with interested parties they will examine how appropriate remedies might be introduced.