§ 6. Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Labour whether he is now able to state the progress that has been made in the setting up of joint consultative machinery in industry; the number of committees in being; and whether resistance to his policy continues?
§ Mr. BevinAs I stated last Thursday, I have no statistics available as to the number of joint councils in industry. In any case it would be misleading to assess the extension of arrangements for joint consultation in industry only by the number of works committees set up. The opposition to which I referred is due to the fact that other arrangements exist by agreement, and it would not be correct to assume that there is opposition to the principle of joint consultation in the workshops.
§ Mr. ManderIn view of the fact that my right hon. Friend said some time ago when I asked him this Question that he was making further inquiries to see what the numbers were, may I ask whether he has been able to ascertain an approximate idea of what progress has been made?
§ Mr. BevinI have not made specific inquiries. I would remind hon. Members that constantly getting returns and forms from industry meets with a great deal of resentment.
§ Mr. ManderWhile appreciating that, may I ask whether, in view of the great importance of this matter, my right hon. Friend can give a general idea as to whether steady progress is being made in this respect?
§ Mr. BevinI have repeated to my hon. Friend time and time again that progress is going on every day, only it is not taking any particular form.