HL Deb 27 January 1998 vol 585 c17WA
Lord Alderdice

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they encourage the use of arbitration, where agreed procedures exist, in order to resolve disputes between employers and employees' representatives. [HL53]

The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Clinton-Davis)

It is good industrial relations practice for employers and trade unions to establish and use procedures to resolve disputes through discussion and negotiation. However, it is Government policy not to intervene in individual trade disputes between employers and trade unions.