---

3 Dec 2003 : Column 112W—continued

Unofficial Strikes

Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to limit the number of unofficial strikes where striking workers refuse to submit to arbitration. [140529]

Mr. Sutcliffe: The Government actively encourages parties to seek the assistance of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) where appropriate, while recognising that compelling either employers or workers to enter into arbitration can be counter-productive.

---

---