On the question of industrial democracy, resolutions to the labour party conference deserve some attention, There is still some confusion about the distinction between workers participation and workers control. A resolution from the National Union of Public Employees, and one from the shopworkers (U.S.D.A.W.), both speak in terms of workers and trade unions participating in management. The N.U.P.E. resolution calls on the government to consult Trade Unions as to what changes are necessary to extend industrial democracy in the public services, but leaves open the question of what basic principles are involved in defending existing rights and effectively extending them, If that is ambiguous, however, the U.S.D.A.W. resolution is rather naive, It reveals an unhealthy preoccupation with industry's need "to improve managerial practices, and the better use of resources", and then calls for trade union participation in management. "It believes that with the extension of participation by trade unions and workers in management, the best use of resources, and increased production, upon which major improvements in social security and other measures depend, will be accelerated", No recognition is given to any basic conflicts of interest between management and worker, much less of the necessity that workers elect their representatives directly and be able at all times to effectively call them to account, nor of the need to define the areas of supervision and control, Such an approach of course might have rather drastic effects in some of the quieter recesses of trade union orthodoxy. On a more positive note both Epping and Chertsey C.L.P.s opt decisively for control, and the Chertsey resolution emphasises the need for election and accountability; in addition it deplores the idea of compensation, and makes sharp attack on the Government's plans for the Steel industry, It is clear that although some C.L.P.s are often more advanced in their thinking than many Trade Union leaderships, the movement as a whole has still much to learn about the subject of industrial democracy. Many resolutions on specific industries simply refer to "nationalisation" or "planning" without ever raising the issue of democracy in any form. Those who advocate workers control should not pass by the opportunity to advance the campaign which is presented by the Scarborough conference, when it is planned to reconvene the National conference on workers control which met in Coventry in June,
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