§ Mr. Jacques ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on labour practices in television and film making is to be published; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FowlerThe MMC report, made under section 79 of the Fair Trading Act 1973, is published today and has been laid before the House. Copies are available in the Vote Office. The Government welcome the evidence of changes for the better in employment and working practices that have occurred in the industry during the course of the commission's investigations. These are attributed to increased competition, advances in technology and changes in employment law. The commission expects further change to continue as a result of current or intended negotiations, or management decisions, though they record their concern about whether change will be sufficiently radical or rapid. The Government will be examining ways of monitoring the necessary further progress in consultation with the major parties concerned in the industry. We note and agree with the commission's concern about the problem of repeat fees and performers' rights regarding consent to repeats of original performances. We are considering the possibility of further study of these issues. We also note the commission's findings and conclusions regarding the union membership agreements with Equity and the Musicians Union. These do not conflict with the Government's case, set out in the Green Paper "Removing Barriers to Employment", for giving individuals the right to complain that they have been refused a job because they are not union members.