§ 4. Mr. Willisasked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in Scotland in the establishment of joint production committees in industry.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI am glad to say that the subject of joint consultation in the factory is receiving increasing attention from both sides of industry in Scotland as elsewhere. I am not, however, in a position to measure precisely at any stage the progress that has been made.
§ Mr. WillisIs my right hon. Friend aware that that is almost exactly the same answer as the one I received about nine months ago; and in view of the importance of this matter could he give some indication of the difficulties which are holding up progress?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThere is no difficulty at all. Substantial progress is being made in Scotland. The T.U.C. in Scotland have requested that the Ministry should not too actively engage in stimulating this matter as they, with the employers, are dealing with the development in their own way.
§ Mr. MikardoIs my right hon. Friend aware that both in Scotland and in the rest of the United Kingdom, because of slow progress in this matter due largely to opposition from employers, there is a growing volume of opinion to the effect that this Committee should now be put on a statutory basis?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsWe should not agree to any statutory basis. We are satisfied that unless the joint production committees have the whole-hearted co-operation of both sides in the factory or the mill, we shall not get any success from them.