asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ask the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service to assist the parties in the dispute at Scotsman Publications Limited following the decision of the Scotsman Publications Limited to suspend publication ofThe Scotsman and the Evening News despite the willingness of journalists to work to the conditions of their contracts.

I understand that publication ofThe Scotsman has been resumed, but I am sure that the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service would consider carefully any request by the parties for assistance in resolving any remaining matters in this dispute.