London, Oct 06: Asking Britain's trade unions to show a sense of fairness towards India, British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has said that it was "unfair" to blame India for loss of British jobs because of "outsourcing" and India must be given a chance to develop its skills and markets. "The trade unions here must show a sense of fairness towards India vis-a-vis winning outsourcing deals from some of Britain's biggest firms. The furore is unfair and India must be given a chance to develop its skills and markets," Prescott said while speaking at a reception hosted by the Labour friends of India at Bournemouth.

Over 250 Labour Party members and activists including 40 Labour MPs including Bob Ainsworth, Deputy Chief Whip, Tony Mcnulty, Minister in Department of Transport and Stephen Timms, E-Commerce Minister attended the reception. Prescott thanked the Indian government for placing an order for the hawk advance jet trainer as it saved many jobs in his constituency.

Speaking on the occasion, the Indian High Commissioner Ronen Sen paid tribute to the close relationship India had with Lord Williams of Mostyn, leader of the House of Lords, who recently died and described the relationship as "close and he remained very accessible and extremely helpful. We shall miss him as he was a very dear friend." Bureau Report