HC Deb 15 February 1962 vol 653 cc1507-9
Q2. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his meeting with the leaders of the railwaymen's unions.

Q5. Mr. Manuel

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his conversations with the leaders of the railway trade unions.

The Prime Minister

I would refer the hon. Members to the joint Press communiqué issued after the meeting.

Mr. Manuel

May I ask the Prime Minister, as one old railwayman to another, whether he fully recognises how patient and long suffering railwaymen in this country have been about their present pay claim, which was lodged nearly a year ago? Quite apart from the present offer of 3 per cent., is he prepared today to give a firm and definite pledge to the House that later this year the railway trade unions will have their pay claim comprehensively and sympathetically considered when they put it forward?

The Prime Minister

I think that it would be an error on my part to add to the communiqué which we jointly agreed. I understand that the unions are now meeting. I do not think that a further statement from me would be helpful at the moment.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is the Prime Minister aware that he is largely responsible for these demands for increased wages, because rents increased under his Government? The purpose of the wage claim is to pay for the increased rents. Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that any small increase in the wages of the railwaymen in my constituency will be swallowed up by the increase in rents? Is not the right hon. Gentleman prepared to do a little to help the trade union leaders, who are trying to solve this matter without a strike, by introducing legislation for a rent pause?

The Prime Minister

The object of our meeting yesterday was to discuss the situation. I think that the meeting was useful, and I hope that the outcome will be successful.

Mr. Gaitskell

In view of the sympathetic attitude to the railwaymen's position reported by the Prime Minister, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he stands by the Government's acceptance of the comparability principle laid down in the Guillebaud Report?

The Prime Minister

I do not want to add to anything mentioned in the communiqué at the moment.