§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to minimise the impact of working days lost owing to labour disputes on the(a) public administration, (b) education and (c) health sectors. [157238]
§ Mr. SutcliffeThe DTI does not have lead responsibility for these sectors. While the number of stoppages in 2003 was an all-time low, the Government via the lead Department concerned makes contingency plans, where appropriate, to minimise the impact on the public.