HC Deb 11 December 1961 vol 651 cc27-8
40. Mr. Edelman

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on his latest discussions with trade union leaders and employers on industrial relations in the motor industry.

Mr. Hare

We had a further discussion on 5th December. The employers and the unions both reaffirmed their determination to secure observance of constitutional methods for settling disputes. They have acted in accordance with this determination since their joint statement in April. In spite of recent unofficial strikes, I am satisfied that real progress has been made. Both sides also reported on measures taken to improve relations at factory level. I think it was a very useful meeting and the vital need now is to get the spirit and purpose of these talks reflected on the shop floor. It was agreed that we should meet again next year to take stock.

Mr. Edelman

While welcoming the initiative which the Minister has taken in this matter, may I ask whether it is not the case that this second meeting has again ended in a trickle of platitudes? Should not the Minister have concerned himself less with the incidence of strikes than with the nature of the disputes? Will he not put on the next agenda of the meeting of employers and trade union leaders the real questions—those of redundancy and the slowness of procedure in settling disputes, and the question of a wages policy for the motor industry?

Mr. Hare

As for the practical methods of bringing the spirit of these talks down to the factory floor, I hope that the training of shop stewards and a better method of selecting and appointing supervisors will help, together with the general agreement that this must be brought down to the factory floor. The hon. Member knows that many companies in the industry have arrangements and agreements on the subject of redundancy. I hope that he also knows my own views on the subject. I sent him a pamphlet, to which I had written the foreword, and I think that he probably does not disagree with what I wrote there.

Sir C. Osborne

Will the Minister arrange conferences at a lower level so that the districts can arrange meetings between management at that level and people at the shop stewards' level, so that those on the shop floor understand what is being done in London?

Mr. Hare

The object of both the unions and the employers is a greater understanding of these problems at local level and to see that action can be taken to deal with problems when they arise.