§ 21. Mr. Stratton Millsasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs in the light of the 8 per cent. to 9 per cent. rise in earnings in 1965, what changes he proposes to make in his incomes policy.
§ Mr. George BrownI propose to develop and strengthen the agreed policy, and press on with the job of getting it fully understood and implemented. I invite the hon. Gentleman's support.
§ Mr. MillsCan the right hon. Gentleman say what increases in earnings over the last year are due to increases in productivity and would he say when the Bill on the early warning system, the publication of which has been postponed on three occasions, is to come before the House? May we have a date please?
§ Mr. BrownNo postponement has yet occurred. I am not in a position to make a statement about the date. On the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I could not give him a breakdown without notice because I do not have the figures with me. We have carried out such an exercise and there are certain difficulties to it. I would be quite willing to see if I could answer the Question.
§ Mr. Peter EmeryDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that his answers to this Question and to Questions Nos. 16 and 18 are irrelevant to his attempt to obtain greater productivity, and are only relevant to the pegging of prices and wages, without greater productivity?
§ Mr. BrownClearly the hon. Gentleman believes that. I happen to think that he is wholly wrong. It is a matter of judgment between us.