§ 5. Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Technology if he is satisfied with the level of productivity in the industries for which his Department is sponsor; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CousinsPresent levels of productivity need to be raised in order to achieve the objectives of the National Economic Plan. Through its participation in the work of the Economic Development Committees for Machine Tools and Electronics and in the development of its own policies, my Department is seeking to ensure that its sponsored industries can make their contribution.
§ Mr. MartenAs Mr. Aubrey Jones has now so closely linked productivity with incomes policy, can the right hon. Gentleman say what steps he is taking to impress the Government's incomes policy upon the industries for which he is the sponsor? Secondly, can he also use such influence as he may have on the Transport and General Workers' Union?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I do not propose to be troubled by this again. If it helps the House, the principle is that the Minister is responsible for answering questions relating to his activities as Minister, but not otherwise.
§ Mr. MartenWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the first question?
§ Mr. CousinsI shall take every step in every discussion with industry, through its associations and through my own Department, to press the need for increased productivity.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyDoes the right hon. Gentleman recall that at the beginning of the year the First Secretary said that he would arrange for the Government to bring about diversification at Short Bros. and Harland, Belfast, by the production of machine tools? Nothing has been done about this in the intervening months. Can the right hon. Gentleman say what progress is being made?
§ Mr. CousinsThat question might more properly be addressed to the First Secretary. The subject of machine tools and the diversification of industry was the subject of an examination by representatives of the First Secretary's Department, and I understand that progress in that discussion has been made.
§ Sir C. OsborneThe right hon. Gentleman said that productivity would have to be increased considerably before the target was reached. By how much will productivity have to be increased in order to achieve its target? Does he not think that it is terribly urgent that this should be done, and will he impress that on both sides of industry in view of the terrifyingly bad import-export figures announced today?
§ Mr. CousinsI consider that increased productivity is essential. This is a principle which I have been trying to put forward for a number of years. By how much productivity should be increased depends on the industry under discussion and there can be no set figure for every industry. There is need for improvement, but productivity is a problem for all of us and not just for a Minister or a trade union.