Statutory Works Councils

HC Deb 15 February 1994 vol 237 c747W

Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to establish statutory works councils.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The Government support voluntary employee involvement. It will not establish statutory works councils or any other form of compulsion. In the Government's view legislation is not the way to promote effective employee involvement in the United Kingdom. Our voluntary approach has proved most successful. It has allowed companies flexibility to involve employees in ways which suit their particular needs and circumstances. Compulsion would stifle this flexibility. It would add to costs and administrative burdens, reduce competitiveness and jeopardise jobs.