§ Mr. G. Brown(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now make a statement on the progress of his Department's talks with the parties involved in the B.M.C. dispute.
§ The Minister of Labour and National Service (Mr. Iain Macleod)Yes, Sir. My officers had separate meetings with the employers and unions concerned yesterday which resulted in agreement to take part in informal joint talks under the chairmanship of the Chief Industrial Commissioner. These joint talks started this morning and are in progress at this moment. I am sure that the House will not expect me to say any more at this stage.
§ Mr. BrownI am sure that the whole House will feel that we should express our relief that these talks have been got going in this way and will agree that nothing more should be said at this stage while the talks are in progress. Will the Minister personally keep in touch with the progress of the talks, so that if they run into snags he will be available to deal with them?
§ Mr. MacleodCertainly, Sir.