§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will request ACAS to invite Barclays Bank and the unions representing Barclays' staff to use its conciliation services to help resolve the current dispute. [19813]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyACAS is an independent body and the Government cannot and should not direct it to act in any particular way. ACAS of course stands ready to assist but can become involved in talks only where both sides agree.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received from(a) Barclays Bank, (b) BIFU, (c) UNIFI and (d) ACAS on the current dispute between Barclays Bank and its staff; and if she will make a statement. [19812]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyMy Department has received some representations from the Banking Insurance and Finance Union and UNIFI about this dispute. ACAS is an independent body and it does not make representations to Government about individual disputes.
Industrial disputes are matters for the parties concerned to resolve with the assistance of ACAS where both sides agree.