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Employee Participation

Volume 959: debated on Monday 27 November 1978

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23.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will ensure that in any proposals which he may make to bring about employee participation in industry all employees are given equal rights.

The Government's proposals are contained in the White Paper Cmnd. 7231, on which consultations are in process.

Before giving unions the right to nominate people to sit on boards, would it not be advisable to ensure that proper democratic procedures applied within the unions, including the elementary safeguard of a secret ballot for election to office?

That is a quite different matter. The experience of the Tory Party in legislating in that general area is not one which would encourage others to do so.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that many employees of Times Newspapers Limited allege that efforts are being made by the management to secure fundamental changes in working practices under duress? Will the Secretary of State say what consultation there has been between himself and the management of Times Newspapers Limited? Further, will he intervene in this dispute to avoid the suspension of publication as from midnight on Thursday, and so allow proper negotiations to proceed?

That supplementary question is a little wide of Cmnd 7231. The Government are watching the position at Times Newspapers closely. We have no plans to intervene.