Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Stephens Excerpts
Wednesday 15th July 2015

(9 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I am confident in the statements I have made throughout the passage of this Bill. I did not see the hon. Lady contributing in Committee or on Second Reading, but, if she had, she would have heard me say that I am absolutely confident that this Bill will deliver the Smith commission in full.

Chris Stephens Portrait Chris Stephens (Glasgow South West) (SNP)
- Hansard - -

10. What discussions he has had with the Scottish Trades Union Congress on trade union reform.

Priti Patel Portrait The Minister for Employment (Priti Patel)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

As part of the trade union reform process, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Ministers will invite the Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss the Bill. This Government are committed to modernising trade union law. The Trade Union Bill to be introduced later today will introduce a balanced package to ensure working people are not disrupted by strikes without sufficient mandates.

Chris Stephens Portrait Chris Stephens
- Hansard - -

The Minister confirms that the largest part of Scottish civic society has not yet been consulted on the Bill. Is that perhaps characteristic of a Government with a casual approach to legislation, or is it simply an ideological attack on those who stand up against exploitation?

Priti Patel Portrait Priti Patel
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

In contrast to the bluster, we are all about reforming and modernising trade union rules and, as I have just stated, BIS Ministers will invite the Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss the Bill further.