Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to review the role and powers of the Official Solicitor to prevent the holder of that office from seeking to free persons imprisoned under industrial relations legislation as part of (1) their ongoing review of industrial relations legal framework, or (2) any forthcoming industrial relations legislation.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill will ensure crucial public services such as rail, ambulances, and fire services maintain a minimum service during industrial action, reducing risk to life and ensuring the public can still get to work.
The Government is not planning to imminently introduce any further primary legislation in this area. The Government continually keeps the UK’s trade union legislation under review.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to take into account the outcome of the Midland Cold Storage Ltd v Bernard Steer and others case of 1972 in their (1) ongoing review of the industrial relations legal framework, and (2) consideration of sanctions under any forthcoming legislation on industrial relations.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill will ensure crucial public services such as rail, ambulances, and fire services maintain a minimum service during industrial action, reducing risk to life and ensuring the public can still get to work.
The Government is not planning to imminently introduce any further primary legislation in this area. The Government continually keeps the UK’s trade union legislation under review.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Callanan on 19 December (HL Deb col 947) in which he said that "75 per cent of workers in this country are not in trade unions", what assessment they have made of whether there is a link between (1) levels of union membership, and (2) levels of workforce care and HR practices, in the private sector versus the public sector.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Statistics on trade union membership, including proportion of public and private sector employees who belong to a union are published on Gov.uk.
Trade unions can have a constructive role to play in representing their members’ interests. Strikes, however, should always be a last resort given the impact that they have on the public and we would always encourage unions to exhaust all other avenues to resolve disputes before taking this step.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the information regarding Harrods in the article “Amazon gets tough with workers over 35p pay rise”, published in The Sunday Times on 14 August; whether Harrods is classified as a “crucial public service”; whether supermarkets are classified as such; and what other services are included in that designation.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The legislation repealing regulation 7 applies to all employers in all sectors. It came into force on 21st July after debates in both houses of Parliament. It gives employers the choice to work with employment businesses to find suitably qualified staff when they are facing industrial action and offers agency workers the freedom to accept roles replacing staff on strike if they wish. It does not affect the ability of workers to go on strike and existing protections for striking workers are maintained. It does, however, balance the right to strike against the right of employers and third parties not to suffer disproportionate disruption. This is particularly important as we continue to recover from the pandemic and are faced with what are global economic challenges.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement by Lord Henley on 7 March, when the first document on changes to EU workers’ rights and health and safety standards in the workplace will be placed before Parliament; and whether both Houses will be consulted.
Answered by Lord Henley
The proposed clauses will be included within the Withdrawal Agreement Bill and will be subject to debate in both Houses.
Our intention is for the first report to be published as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the 6 months period starting from the commencement date. The clauses we set out on 7 March include a motion for both houses to approve the report within 28 sitting days, beginning on the day the report is laid before that House.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the decision to leave the EU, what will be the UK's future relationship with EURATOM.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
The UK supports Euratom and is seeking to ensure continuity of co-operation and standards. This Government remains committed to the highest standards of nuclear safety, safeguards and support for the industry.
Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the UK's exit from the EU, whether the UK will cease to participate in the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts; and if so, when the Centre will relocate away from the UK.
Answered by Lord Prior of Brampton
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is an independent intergovernmental treaty organisation including both EU and non-EU member and co-operating states. There are no plans for the UK to cease to be a member of ECMWF and we remain committed to hosting the organisation in the UK.