HC Deb 29 April 1954 vol 526 cc1861-2
Sir D. Eccles

I beg to move, in page 9, line 33, after "and," to insert: (so far as in the opinion of the Authority considerations of national security permit). This Amendment and the subsequent Amendment go together. I think it was the hon. Member for Cleveland (Mr. Palmer) who suggested that we should not limit consultation with the Staff Side merely to the promotion and encouragement of measures affecting health, safety and welfare, but that in other nationalisation Acts it has become common form to add efficiency. I was very glad to say that we would do that, but then it was pointed out that because of security reasons we could not do it in exactly the form of the other Acts.

I propose that these words should be put in at the beginning of subsection (2) so that they will cover all the matters which will come up for discussion. I am quite sure that both sides of the Authority will find discussions on efficiency useful. We are all agreed that that is a modern practice which is to be encouraged.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 9, line 34, at end, insert: including efficiency in the Authority's work.