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Industrial Action (Grangemouth)

I welcome my right hon. Friend's statement and I endorse the view that the matter needs to be resolved as quickly as possible and that it can be resolved only by negotiation. I am concerned about how the threat to the processes and the plant is being discussed in the debate. My experience and involvement in industrial disputes, including in the oil and gas industry, suggests that the unions go out of their way to ensure that the integrity of health and safety services, as well as the production equipment, is upheld. Nobody has an interest in destroying the future of the place where they work. Everyone is well aware that when they return to work they must have a proper working relationship. I am worried by what my right hon. Friend has said about the threat to the North sea oil and gas industry. I hope that the issue is not being raised by management without proper discussion with the unions to ensure that both sides are satisfied that the integrity of the system is being preserved by agreement.