To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many strikes there were in the last 12 months; and what the lowest number of strikes was during any consecutive 12 month period between May 1997 and May 2002. (85454)

In the 12 months to May 2006, there were 131 stoppages in the UK, compared to 121 stoppages in the 12 months to May 2005.

Between May 1997 and May 2002, the lowest number of stoppages in any 12 consecutive months was 189, in the 12 months to August 1999.