Vol. 373 No. 3
asked the Minister for Labour if, in view of the decision to establish a new joint venture between NET and ICI, it is intended to amend the Worker Participation (State Enterprise) Act 1977, to ensure that there will be worker directors on the board of the new enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
79.
asked the Minister for Labour when he will meet with the NET group of unions to discuss matters of great concern to them, prior to the merger of NET and ICI; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 79 together.
The joint venture arrangements, including those relevant to worker participation, have been negotiated between the Department of Industy and Commerce, NET and ICI. The Minister for Industry and Commerce and I are prepared to meet with representatives of the NET group of unions at a mutually convenient date. At that meeting, the group of unions will have an opportunity to raise those issues which are of concern to them.
The Minister will be aware that there are worker directors on the board of the existing NET company and that as the law stands, under the new joint venture workers will not be entitled to have worker directors on the new board. What is the Minister's attitude to this? Will he ensure that the rights the workers in NET have achieved are maintained and transferred to the new company?
The arrangements for the joint venture agreement between NET and ICI are a matter for the Minister for Industry and Commerce. Arrangements for that joint venture, including worker participation proposals, were approved by the previous Government. However, we are trying to initiate discussions between the Minister for Industry and Commerce and myself with the unions concerned. I have met the unions and I am aware of the arguments they are putting forward. It is correct to say that NET is one of the seven enterprises that has worker directors. I do not think the details of the joint venture have been finalised and I have asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce to meet the unions concerned.
I understand it is proposed to form a holding company and a production company and, clearly, it would be more important for the worker directors to be on the board of the production company because that will be the concern that will have most say in what goes on. I should like to ask the Minister to ensure that progress is made along those lines.
I will try to arrange the meeting with the unions for an early date.
