Negotiation and Consultation with Staff by National Ports Authority

Part of Clause 41 – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 29 April 1970.

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Photo of Mr Keith Stainton Mr Keith Stainton , Sudbury and Woodbridge 12:00, 29 April 1970

However naively, I am bewildered by this Amendment. It commences with a conjunction, though one can probably ignore that. But it really amounts to an embellishment of the words …settlement of terms and conditions of employment … However, it happens to be only one way of embellishing those words, and I cannot understand why it is chosen rather than any one of half a dozen others which I could scribble out at the slightest provocation.

I would have thought that the words " …settlement of terms and conditions of employment … were all-embracing and sufficient. Indeed, I would go further and question the need for subsection (6) at all. The authority will not be prohibited from associating with other employers' organisations, whether or not the subsection is written into the Bill, and I make that point as a very definite submission.

I started by commenting " however naïvely ". It may be that I have got off on the wrong foot in considering the terms of the Amendment. I would be interested to hear the Minister's comments.