HC Deb 18 November 1947 vol 444 cc963-6
14. Mr. Parkin

asked the Minister of Labour what plans he has to improve and extend joint consultation in industry between operatives, technicians, and managements.

Mr. Ness Edwards

The Government regard it as of the first importance that there should be the fullest possible development of joint consultation in industry. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement agreed by the National Joint Advisory Council, on the establishment of the necessary joint machinery. This provides for each industry to determine, through its normal negotiating arrangements, the form of machinery best suited to its own particular circumstances. The part that the Ministry of Labour is to play in assisting this development is also outlined in the statement and my right hon. Friend is considering with his right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the assistance of the regional boards for industry can best be utilised in this connection. It is to be hoped that in all industries joint consideration will be given to this important question without delay. The services of the Ministry are always available to the two sides and communication has already been made with a number of industries.

Mr. Parkin

Will my right hon. Friend consider publishing in the Ministry of Labour Gazette details of cases where establishment and negotiating machinery has resulted in increased efficiency and production?

Mr. Ness Edwards

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Tolley

Will my right hon. Friend consider introducing legislation to make these joint consultative committees necessary in every industry, in view of the fine work which they did during the war?

Mr. Ness Edwards

The spirit of cooperation in this matter is developing, and is now quite good. I think we ought to give it a chance.

Mr. Osborne

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what important industries are not covered by these joint consultative committees?

Mr. Ness Edwards

None, Sir.

Following is the statement:

1. The National Joint Advisory Council agreed to recommend to employers' organisations and trade unions the setting up of joint consultative machinery, where it did not already exist, for the regular exchange of views between employers and workers on production questions, provided it was clearly understood:

  1. (a) That such machinery would be purely voluntary and advisory in character.
  2. (b) That it would not deal with questions relating to terms and conditions of employment which are normally dealt with through the ordinary machinery of joint negotiation.
  3. (c) That it would be left to each industry through its ordinary negotiation arrangements to adjust the form of machinery best suited to its own particular circumstances, and to decide in particular whether such machinery could best be established at the factory level, or cover a wider area.

2. It was also agreed that the Ministry of Labour and National Service should obtain and circulate to the National Joint Advisory Council reports showing the progress made in establishing such joint machinery, and the functions of the Ministry of Labour and National Service in this regard have been further discussed. As a result, the following arrangements will now operate:

  1. (1) It will be for each industry to determine the form of machinery which it desires. When this has been done the industry concerned will inform the Ministry of Labour, and this information will be passed on to the Regional Industrial Relations Officers, who will then be available to assist local associations and branches to set up Joint Production Committees, and to explain to them the general principles that should govern the establishment of joint consultative machinery in the form determined by the particular industry.
  2. (2) Should a Regional Industrial Relations Officer be approached with a view to the setting up of a Joint Production Committee, he will first ensure that the industry concerned has reached agreement at the national level on the introduction of such machinery, and he will take no further action until or unless such agreement is forthcoming. Providing that the industry has so agreed, the Regional Industrial Relations Officer will first establish contact with the local officials of the employers' association and trade unions concerned to confirm that the proposed discussions will not conflict with any other negotiations in progress. On receiving the necessary assurance he will then assist 966 to the best of his ability in the setting up of a joint committee on the agreed lines.
  3. (3) The Ministry of Labour will maintain records of Joint Production Committees and report progress from time to time to the National Joint Advisory Council. To assist in compilation of these records Committees constituted in accordance with agreed proposals will be invited to notify the Regional Office of the Ministry of Labour when they are established.

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