§ 47. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Prime Minister whether he will now call a conference of the heads of the nationalised boards, to be presided over by himself, with a view to obtaining agreement on a common wage policy to be followed by all nationalised industries, both during the present phase of economic restraint and subsequently.
§ The Prime MinisterThe nationalised industries, like other industries, are responsible for dealing with their own wages questions. It is, however, of the greatest importance that all concerned with these questions should exercise their responsibility with a full knowledge of economic considerations affecting the national interest. That is one of the reasons why with my colleagues I am having meetings with representative leaders of industry. One of these will be with the nationalised industries.
§ Mr. Gresham CookeMay I express the hope—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] that—
§ Mr. SpeakerQuestion Time is not the time for expressing hopes.
§ Mr. Gresham CookeIs my right hon. Friend aware that this meeting with the nationalised industries will command a great deal of approval in the country? Is he also aware that there is a section of trade union opinion which thinks that the nationalised industries should pay better wages than industry generally? Would he express the view to the heads of the industries that that opinion is wrong?
§ The Prime MinisterThe whole matter is governed, of course, by the nationalisation Acts, which arranged for the establishment of negotiating machinery 1367 for the settlement of the terms and conditions of employment in the industries. I do not think that I want to comment upon that.