HC Deb 12 July 1956 vol 556 cc582-3
41. Mr. Boardman

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give an asurance that wage applications or negotiations covering those employed in nationalised industries will not be prejudiced by reason of any undertakings which have been given at the request of Her Majesty's Government not to increase charges or prices for limited periods.

Mr. Iain Macleod

There is in the nationalised industries joint negotiating machinery for the settlement of terms and conditions of employment. Her Majesty's Government have no intention of undermining the responsibility of the authorities concerned with the operation of these industries for considering wage claims and conducting negotiations through the joint machinery.

Mr. Boardman

Will the Minister continue to bear in mind that discrimination against any section of workers would have a most disastrous result upon industrial relations generally, far outside the nationalised undertakings?

Mr. Macleod

There is no question whatever of discrimination. These undertakings by the nationalised industries, which we very much welcome, were given entirely on their own responsibility—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Indeed they were—and their responsibility for wages and conditions of service remains exactly as it was before.