Secondary Industrial Action

Oral Answers to Questions — Employment – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 18 July 1989.

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Photo of Mr Michael Shaw Mr Michael Shaw , Scarborough 12:00, 18 July 1989

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many complaints about secondary picketing or secondary action have been received by the trade union commissioner; and if he will make a statement.

Photo of Sir John Cope Sir John Cope , Northavon

I understand that no applications for assistance have so far been made to the commissioner in connection with secondary action or picketing.

Photo of Mr Michael Shaw Mr Michael Shaw , Scarborough

I welcome that reply, but does my right hon. Friend not agree that the Government's action in changing the law has been received well and has been of real benefit not only to all those engaged in industry, but to the general public?

Photo of Sir John Cope Sir John Cope , Northavon

Yes, I think that it has been an exceptionally beneficial measure, which we introduced among other trade union reforms. It would be exceptionally damaging if it were reversed, as the Labour party intends.

Photo of Mr Max Madden Mr Max Madden , Bradford West

Will the Minister confirm that there have been no complaints about secondary picketing arising from the dispute at Ever-Sure Textiles in Sheffield, where the workers—predominantly women—are in the fifth week of a strike and trying to persuade management to grant trade union recognition? Does he understand that the women concerned, who when in work receive £61 for a 38-hour week, are anxious to obtain trade union recognition and to improve wages and conditions of employment? Will he urge the management of Ever-Sure Textiles to get back to the ACAS talks so that this unhappy dispute can be resolved quickly?

Photo of Sir John Cope Sir John Cope , Northavon

I do not intend to intervene in the dispute. No applications for assistance about secondary action in the case the hon. Gentleman mentioned or in others, have been received by the commissioner.