| Employment Relations Bill
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Mr. Sutcliffe: This morning we had an excellent debate on information and consultation and the reason why the Government and others believe it to be important to address modern employment relations. There was a general understanding of the business case for having information and consultation so that the work force are well informed and people understand their business's needs—for example, for skills and training—throughout their employment. Those issues apply equally to Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland was involved in the consultation process in the same way as the rest of the UK, and the feedback was similar in respect of the way that business union employers and employees felt about these issues. I am grateful to the hon. Member for recognising the great strides that have been made in the Province over the past 10 years. We hope that that will continue, and that the Assembly will be back in place as early as possible.
2.45 pmI do not accept the criticism that we have taken too long. This was the first opportunity in this Bill to make sure that we got the position right regarding the information consultation directive and the dates of its implementation. We had to make sure that people in Northern Ireland could take advantage of the directive, and that we were not putting anyone in danger of the Commission or anyone else issuing proceedings against them. As I say, employers in Northern Ireland feel that they would benefit from a better-informed, better-motivated and more committed work force, and they see the benefits of information consultation in the same way as their Column Number: 184 counterparts in the UK. I cannot add anything more to what I said earlier today. My ministerial colleagues for Northern Ireland have been involved in the discussions concerning information consultation, and I believe it would be beneficial, just as it would be for the rest of the UK. I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's criticism. I think this is the first and best opportunity to ensure that the directive is implemented in a way that will benefit the whole of the community.Mr. Bellingham: I am grateful to the Minister but, with respect, I put a narrow point to him: the Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended for a long time—in fact it has been suspended throughout the duration of the whole process leading up to this Bill—so why could this new clause not have been included in the original Bill? Mr. Sutcliffe: I have clearly not given the hon. Gentleman the answer that he wants. I have tried to explain how this Bill has come together, what the Government's thinking has been and how we have looked at the implementation of the directive alongside the framework agreement recently reached between the CBI and the TUC. This is the first opportunity that we have had to ensure that Northern Ireland is included in an appropriate way through the clauses and amendments that we have moved. Question put and agreed to. Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.
Adjourned accordingly at twelve minutes to Three o'clock till Thursday 26 February at half-past Two o'clock.
Column Number: 185 Forth, Mr. Eric (Chairman)Atkins, Charlotte Atkinson, Mr. Peter Bellingham, Mr. Bruce, Malcolm Cotter, Brian Cruddas, Jon Column Number: 186 Owen, Albert Picking, Anne Sheridan, Jim Stewart, Ian Sutcliffe, Mr. Tynan, Mr.
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| Prepared 24 February 2004 | |
