§ 40. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister et Transport what further conversations he has now had with Dr. Beeching on railwaymen's wages with a view to avoiding strikes, following the rejection by rail 1294 way unions of the 3 per cent. offer; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MarplesAs my hon. Friend will be aware, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is meeting representatives of the three railway unions later today. He will understand, therefore, that I would prefer to make no comment at present on the question of the railwaymen's wage claim.
§ Mr. NabarroCan my right hon. Friend give the House an assurance that he has appropriately briefed the Prime Minister as to the feeling in his party and that if the concession in regard to wages were in excess of the 3 per cent. it would make a mockery of the "guiding light" in the incomes White Paper?
§ Mr. MarplesIn view of the fact that the meeting is to take place in less than half-an-hour's time, I think it would be discourteous of me to say anything more.
§ Mr. StraussCan we assume from what has happened that the Minister's request to Dr. Beeching to skip the negotiations stage in the conciliation machinery and to go straight to arbitration without having any negotiations has now been withdrawn?
§ Mr. MarplesIf the right hon. Gentleman will look at HANSARD for 7th February he will see that the Parliamentary Secretary answered that in a Written Answer to a Question which he put down.
§ Mr. StraussNo answer at all.