HC Deb 31 October 1989 vol 159 cc167-8W
36. Mr. Tracey

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has received any representations about unofficial strikes; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholls

My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on unofficial industrial action from a wide variety of sources. Proposals for reform of industrial relations law to limit the scope for such action have been made in the Green Paper "Unofficial Action and the Law" (Cm. 821).

50. Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to introduce legislation to enable employers to dismiss employees who have taken part in unofficial industrial action; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholls

The Green Paper "Unofficial Action and the Law" (Cm. 821) proposes changes to industrial relations and trade union law to discourage wildcat industrial action. It includes proposals which would allow greater freedom for employers to dismiss those who choose to take unofficial industrial action.

42. Mr. David Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he intends to introduce his proposals to reform the law covering unofficial strike action.

Mr. Nicholls

These proposals were published for public consultation in the Green Paper "Unofficial Action and the Law" (Cm. 821), which invites comments by 1 December.

71. Mr. Madel

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he plans to meet representatives of the Trades Union Congress to discuss forthcoming legislation on unofficial strikes; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholls

My right hon. Friend regularly meets representatives of the Trades Union Congress to discuss a wide range of employment issues. He has no current plans for such a meeting.

Mr. Irving

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to make unofficial strikes illegal; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

Unofficial, "wildcat" industrial action is a deep-rooted and long-standing industrial relations problem. It can cause disproportionate damage to businesses and to jobs because of its unpredictable and disruptive nature. It can also cause serious inconvenience to the general public, as in the industrial action affecting the London Underground and British Rail last summer.

The Green Paper "Unofficial Action and the Law" proposes a number of changes in the law to discourage wildcat industrial action, by extending union responsibility and giving employers greater freedom to dismiss those taking unofficial action.