§ 35. Mr. Moonmanasked the Minister of Power if he will introduce legislation 1173 to establish a suitable structure of communication within those industries within his responsibility so that all employees are encouraged to make a positive contribution to those industries.
§ Mr. MarshNo, Sir. The nationalisation statutes make the industries themselves responsible for setting up suitable machinery, and there is no need for further legislation in order to achieve the objectives my hon. Friend has in mind.
§ Mr. MoonmanWould my right hon. Friend not agree that the methods of consultation have been wholly unsuccessfull in a number of these industries and that perhaps the time has come to reassess the methods of consultation to ensure greater worker participation and possibly stimulate private industry?
§ Mr. MarshThere has been considerable discussion on this point in a Committee elsewhere in this House. If my hon. Friend's point is, as I believe it is, that worker participation and consultation should go above and beyond the usual discussions about dirty towels and the quality of food in the cafeteria and provide for consultation in the field of activity of managerial decision, I would accept it.
§ Mr. LubbockDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that the objectives which we have in mind would be best realised by the appointment of representatives of the workers to the boards of these industries?
§ Mr. MarshWe have had a limited amount of assistance from the Liberal Party in Standing Committee D in these discussions. Its view is known. However, there is the generally agreed view that one cannot have representative management. People who are on a board have a loyalty to that board. They cannot represent outside bodies.