HC Deb 14 July 1955 vol 543 cc2082-3
6. Mr. Shepherd

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement indicating the extent to which co-partnership and profit-sharing are practised in British industry.

13. Mr. Gower

asked the Minister of Labour what information he has about the extent to which profit-sharing and co-partnership schemes have been instituted in British industry; and the extent to which such schemes have increased in number since 1945.

Sir W. Monckton

I regret that the information desired is not available. As I have already informed the House, comprehensive statistics relating to profit sharing and co-partnership are being collected by my Department and will be published as soon as they are available.

Mr. Shepherd

Would not my right hon. and learned Friend agree that in recent months there has been a desirable increase in the number of schemes? Will he consult his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a view to seeing whether the disabilities that now attach to some of these schemes can be removed?

Sir W. Monckton

I quite understand the desirability of these schemes, and I am in constant touch with my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Mikardo

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman include in the figures when he publishes them information about the number and range of producer co-operatives, which are, of course, the ideal form of co-partnership?

Sir W. Monckton

I said in answer to a similar Question last week that I would take into account all those similar schemes and find what statistics could be produced.

Mr. Gower

Is it not a fact that when the statistics were published before the war they included a very comprehensive list, including private industry and the Co-operative movement?

Sir W. Monckton

I believe that that is so.

Mr. Snow

Is the Minister aware that in some of these schemes there is no sort of financial control or recognition of the rights of the so-called co-partners to voice their opinions about financial control? Is his Department looking into the question whether tax reliefs are given to such co-partnerships where the co-partners in fact do not get the benefit of these tax reliefs?

Sir W. Monckton

There are many kinds of schemes of this sort and I should not like to answer on that matter without notice.

Mr. Woodburn

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman try to explain to the railways how the profit-sharing scheme will work for the railwaymen?