HC Deb 03 August 1961 vol 645 cc1647-9
Q4. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Prime Minister whether, in his broadcast to the nation on Friday, 4th August, he intends to make any reference to the future of wage negotiating machinery in both the public and private sectors of industry.

The Prime Minister

I hope that the hon. Member will look in and listen.

Mr. Hamilton

The right hon. Gentleman can be assured that I will, out of a sense of duty and some entertainment. But does he realise that there are thousands of workers in this country at this moment, and particularly public employees, who fear that the Government are increasingly interfering in the negotiating machinery, in some instances set up by Statute? Will the right hon. Gentleman give a specific assurance that, as regards the teachers anyway, he will not interfere in that way? If he does interfere, does he not realise that he will be faced with a very serious situation in the educational world in September? Does he not further recognise that, in regard to the Government's appeal for wage restraint, the motto of many of these workers is, "Keep your 'pause' off me"?

The Prime Minister

I am grateful for the valuable thoughts that the hon. Member has given me for the benefit of my broadcast.

Mr. Lee

Does not the Prime Minister agree that the Chancellor's statement— especially as it concerns negotiating machinery in public industries—is one of the most serious statements ever made in this House? Does he appreciate that in fact it means the suspension of the whole of the negotiating machinery, covering many millions of employees, and that if his advice is taken by the private sector, the same thing will emerge in the case of private industry? Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us when, either in peace or war, British industry has ever been denuded of the whole of its negotiating machinery?

The Prime Minister

That is a misstatement of what my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said. He appealed for a pause before large wage increases were given without regard to productivity.

Mr. Hamilton

Will the Prime Minister give a specific assurance to the teaching profession that the agreement reached by the Burnham Committee will be sustained by the Government without any reduction whatsoever in it?

The Prime Minister

That is another question, but I think that the Government's position has already been made quite clear.

Q5. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that in his broadcast to the nation on Friday, 4th August, he will be appealing for national unity, he will share the time available with the Leader of the Opposition.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. I fear that the right hon. Gentleman has gone away.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an increasing number of the public wish that he would go away? Is he further aware that, according to the latest public information polls, he represents much less than half our population? In those circumstances, if may amend my Question, will he not consider handing over the whole broadcast time to my right hon. Friend?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Member has done the best he could with his Question, but he really ought to have withdrawn it.

Mr. G. Brown

My hon. Friend in fact did rather better than the right hon. Gentleman. Since the circumstances of this broadcast, which is by invitation of the B.B.C., are a little unusual, will he bear in mind that if he becomes controversial in the broadcast we shall certainly want the right of reply?

The Prime Minister

That is not a matter for me.