Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the mediations between Clarks and its employees.

When employment disputes arise, the Government wants to ensure that employers and employees can resolve these quickly and efficiently. It is always better to resolve disputes through dialogue wherever possible. Acas provides collective conciliation and mediation services. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not assessed the effectiveness of the mediations between Clarks and its employees, and the Government will not get involved whilst mediation talks are progressing with Acas.