HC Deb 11 February 1948 vol 447 cc368-9
34. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether, in view of the recent losses shown by British European Airways, he is satisfied with the competency of the management; and if he will hold the public inquiry into this matter which the workers employed by B.E.A. are demanding through their trade unions.

Mr. Lindgren

The reply to the first part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir." As to the second part of the Question, no such request has been made by the trade unions.

Mr. Gallacher

Will the Minister now accept the request from me that an inquiry should be made into the policy of management, and will it not be desirable to see that the workers themselves are more or less represented on the management of these nationalised undertakings in order to get the very best results?

Mr. Lindgren

Under Section 19 of the Civil Aviation Act there is a requirement that there should be an opportunity for consultation in regard to efficiency within the industry, and that has in fact been met by the National Joint Council.

Sir Arthur Salter

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary regard it as a matter of regret that the one case of an important change in the management of these Corporations is the one exceptional case where there has not been a loss?

Mr. Lindgren

That is an entirely different question and, if the right hon. Member puts a Question down, I shall be happy to deal with it.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not important that there should not only be consultation, but that the managerial bodies should be predominantly of the working class?

Mr. Mikardo

Will the hon. Gentleman take notice of the fact that it is apparently now the policy of the Communist Party to go outside the accepted joint consultative machinery between the Corporations and the trade unions, and that it has now also become pledged to the view that losses, and presumably profits, are the proper test of the efficiency of an organisation?

Mr. Rankin

When this House decides to give a subsidy to any particular industry, is it to be treated as a loss?