§ Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what priority he attaches to the preservation of the present terms and conditions of employment, including pension rights, of the work force at the Barrow and Birkenhead shipyards, following the proposed privatisation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThis is a matter for negotiation between the employers and employees. The sale of a business does not affect existing employment contracts. British Shipbuilders has however made clear that it wishes the purchasers of its warship yards to provide pension rights to company employees broadly similar to those available prior to sale.
1984 Per Cent. 1985 Per Cent. Premises Visited 4,573 5,144 Full Compliance with Code 470 10.2 656 12.8 Compliance with the key requirements 618 13.5 831 16.9 Staff Awareness of Code 1,635 35.75 2,257 43.9 Use of Agreed Sizes 1,606 35.1 2,233 43.4 In the light of these surveys, the Department is considering whether further action is called for. The introduction of legislation to require wine to be sold by the glass only in a range of prescribed standard sizes is one of the options under consideration.