HC Deb 23 January 1985 vol 71 cc425-6W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements exist in the nationalised industries, consequent upon the repeal of the fair wages clause, for the trade unions to be consulted about the maintenance by contractors employed by the industries of the safety standards established by the industries themselves; and whether there is provision for requiring the observance of terms and conditions of employment recommended by the relevant trade associations.

Mr. Waldegrave

On the basis of information provided by the local authorities concerned, the maximum expenditure entitlement under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 for the metropolitan district councils in Greater Manchester was as follows:

The Prime Minister

The fair wages resolution applied to Government Departments only. However, many nationalised industries included in their contracts fair wages clauses similar to those of the resolution. The resolution did not apply to safety standards. The responsibilities of employers to consult on matters of safety are laid out in the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 and in section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Arrangements in the nationalised industries for negotiating terms and conditions with subcontractors, including trade union consultation, are matters for the managements of the industries themselves.