§ 45. Mr. Osborneasked the Prime Minister if he will keep the House informed of the talks he and his Cabinet colleagues are having with the Trade Union Congress and Employers' Federation representatives on the steps to be taken to overcome the economic crisis, and give an assurance that data disclosed at these talks will be made available to the House; and that any agreements which result will be communicated to the House as soon as possible.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)Discussions of this nature have for many years been part of the normal practice of government, and have been of the utmost value as a means of consultation between Ministers and the two sides of industry on current problems of common interest. In many cases such consultations are of an informal character, and the material under discussion necessarily confidential. I would hesitate to give any assurance which might result in the value of such discussions being impaired. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that the House will continue to be kept fully informed on all matters relevant to the country's economic situation.
§ Mr. OsborneMay I press on the Prime Minister that we should have these reports fairly regularly, otherwise we have to depend on reports which appear in the Press, and sometimes they are not reliable?
§ The Prime MinisterWe endeavour to give as full reports as possible, but the hon. Member will realise that in informal discussions, statements made about particular parts of the country and particular industries have not necessarily been given to the House. So I did not wish to be more precise.