HC Deb 29 January 1957 vol 563 c825
3. Mr. Lewis

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the danger of industrial upheaval and trade disputes in the engineering industry; and what action he proposes to take to prevent industrial unrest in this industry.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I am informed that the unions concerned have requested a further meeting with the employers' federation to discuss their wages claim. No action at this stage is called for on my part.

Mr. Lewis

Is the Minister aware of the fact that engineering workers are under the impression that the Government have advised the engineering employers not to grant any wage increases? Can we have an assurance that no such advice has been or will be given by the right hon. Gentleman or by the Government?

Mr. Macleod

Yes. Sir, I can give an absolute assurance on that. It is no part of the Government's duty to advise an organisation of employers either to accept or to reject wage claims.

Mr. Lee

Now that there is an ex-president of the engineering employers' federation in the Cabinet, will the right hon. Gentleman consult him to make sure that the federation does not in future give a blank negative to a wage application before hearing what it is about?

Mr. Macleod

The hon. Member must realise that that supplementary question is at variance with the answer that I have just given. It is not the business of the Government to give the sort of advice that the hon. Member has suggested.