asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of the continued high levels of redundancies, he will institute a review of the operation of section 59 of the Employment Protection Act 1975 in order to prevent employees who require time off for public duties being unfairly restricted in carrying out those duties by new employers imposing tighter conditions than previously obtained for the employee.

I consider that section 59—now section 29 of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978—is proving generally satisfactory, but I am continuing to keep the working of the Act under review. If my hon. Friend knows of particular difficulties which have arisen I should be grateful if he would let me have further details.