 The Act followed the "Report of the Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employers’ Associations", led by Lord Donovan, which sought to reduce industrial conflict and introduce a claim for unfair dismissal.However, under a Conservative government, the protection for workers was reduced compared to the Donovan Report proposals, and coupled with suppression of the right to collective bargaining, compared to the previous position.The Second Reading of the Industrial Relations Bill took place on 14 and 15 of December 1970, and the Third Reading on 24 March 1971.