Trade Union Bill (Second sitting)

Edward Argar Excerpts

Tuesday 13th October 2015 Public Bill Committees

[The Chair]

This will be the last question: we are running out of time.

[Edward Argar (Charnwood) (Con)]

Q 127 Clearly it is in patient interests not to have treatment disrupted by action taken in respect of stoppages with a very small turnout. We heard this morning, and I think we all agree, that it would be useful if there were statistics—and we are not aware of any—that quantified the indirect consequence of stoppages in terms of days lost and disruption. In your experience, and recognising that we have not got those figures, would you assess, from your research, your conversations and the work you have done, that the impact on patients has been significant in the past?

Julia Manning: I think it has been incredibly significant to every individual who has been affected by this. The figures I have show that in 2011, when action took place, about 7,000 people had their operations cancelled and tens of thousands of people had an appointment cancelled. I think that for every one of those, it was significant.

[The Chair]

Thank you, Ms Manning, for giving evidence to the Committee.

Examination of Witnesses

Janet Cooke and David Sidebottom gave evidence.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Chair]

Order. Just before we finish, Mr Argar, you can ask a quick question, which can be replied to in writing, but please keep it brief.

[Edward Argar]

Q 216 That is what I was going to offer with your permission, Sir Alan. The question is to Mr Wilson. You touched on the 2014 dispute and ballot with Unite. Can you remind us what percentage of Unite members voted to significantly disrupt the working and daily lives of huge numbers of Londoners? I am happy for you to write if you do not have this to hand. Do you have any estimate of how many Londoners’ and others’ journeys were affected by that action over those two days?

Tony Wilson: For the second point, I would ask Transport for London, because it will give you the answer across the whole network, not just for our organisation.

[Edward Argar]

I was thinking about your firm’s services in particular.

Tony Wilson: I do not know. We are 7% of the market—

[The Chair]

Order. I am bringing this session to a conclusion now. For the last two questions, I would be grateful if you could submit written answers if you wish. Also, Mr Isaby, you could put together your paper of queries and forward that on to the Clerks or the Members directly. We will now suspend the sitting for five minutes to get the video link ready. Thank you very much, Mr Isaby and Mr Wilson. We are grateful for your attendance today.