Wages

HC Deb 05 February 1962 vol 653 cc24-6

32. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Minister of Power whether he was consulted before the Chairman of the National Coal Board made an offer of 2½ per cent. on present wage rates to workers in the coal industry to take effect in May of this year.

The Minister of Power (Mr. Richard Wood)

In the course of my regular consultations with the Chairman of the National Coal Board, the current wage claim and the prospective offer were naturally discussed.

Mr. Shinwell

What instructions did the Minister give to the Chairman of the National Coal Board? Did he discuss the possibility of a 2½ per cent. increase, or did he leave it entirely to the discretion of the Chairman of the Board? What was the nature of the discussions during this important consultation?

Mr. Wood

I explained during the different stages of the coal Measure which we recently discussed that I made my views perfectly clear to the Chairman of the Board. He took account of those views. He told me the offer which he was going to put forward. I take the view that that offer was consistent with the Government's policy.

Mr. Shinwell

Will not the right hon. Gentleman come clean about this? Is it not obvious that, because 2½ per cent. has been mentioned as an increase for other workers, the right hon. Gentleman plainly indicated to Lord Robens that 2½ per cent, was the maximum increase which could be permitted?

Mr. Wood

I explained on the last occasion that we discussed these matters that I made perfectly clear to Lord Robens what were the Government's views in this matter, which the whole House knows and which the country knows. Lord Robens was not given any special information.

Mr. Nabarro

Since the taxpayers of this country are required to underwrite the losses forward of the National Coal Board, is it not entirely proper that my right hon. Friend should indicate the maximum wage advance which he considers is appropriate in the circumstances?

Mr. Wood

I assumed that I had the full support of my hon. Friend in giving the Government's views to the chairman of the Board.

Mr. Shinwell

May I put the point quite plainly to the right hon. Gentleman? It is no use his trying to evade it.

Mr. Nabarro

He is not. He is being very direct and truthful.

Mr. Shinwell

I wish to know from him whether in the course of these consultations he suggested to Lord Robens that a 2½ per cent. increase, to be paid in May, was the maximum to be permitted?

Mr. Wood

No, Sir. Lord Robens certainly knows of the figure of 2½ per cent., but he suggested, and I agreed with him, before the negotiations began that he should be left free and unfettered to negotiate this claim for himself.