HC Deb 22 July 1965 vol 716 cc1819-20
24. Mrs. Shirley Williams

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what steps he intends to take to prevent the earnings of men supplied by labour-only subcontractors from breaching the norm agreed by both trades unions and management in a particular industry.

Mr. George Brown

I realise that there is a special problem here, but in these as in other cases the primary responsibility for observing the norm and the other considerations set out in the White Paper on Prices and Incomes Policy must rest with the parties concerned.

Mrs. Williams

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this system, which is expanding fast in the construction industry and some parts of the engineering industry, is condemned by responsible trade union officials and employers alike and that it could have a very dangerous effect on collective agreements?

Mr. Brown

Yes, indeed, and that is why I answered in the way I did. A great many people are concerned about this, but the responsibility rests with them and, in the light of what they are doing to control it, we had better leave it to them.