HC Deb 24 February 1966 vol 725 cc623-6
Q5. Mr. Gibson-Watt

asked the Prime Minister whether the statements made by the First Secretary of State on 8th February in the Rediffusion programme Crunch, about economic affairs, represent the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Q6. Mr. Ramsden

asked the Prime Minister whether the statements on economic policy made by the First Secretary of State on 8th February, 1966, in the Rediffusion programme, Crunch, represent the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Q7. Mr. Bryan

asked the Prime Minister if the statements of the First Secretary of State on economic matters on 8th February in the television programme, Crunch, represent Government policy.

Q8. Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Prime Minister whether the statements made by the First Secretary of State in the Rediffusion programme entitled Crunch, on 8th February, 1966, about incomes policy, represent the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Q9. Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

asked the Prime Minister whether the statements about the- nation's economic and financial problems made by the First Secretary of State on 8th February in the Rediffusion programme, Crunch, represent the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. George Brown

I have been asked to reply.

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that in this programme he himself said that he was impressed by the impact that his policy was having on production, incomes and prices? Can he tell us what impact his policy has had on production, particularly in view of what his right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour said the other day when he described production as stagnant?

Mr. Brown

If he did, I must have a word with him. [Laughter.] If he did not, I will have a word with the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Ramsden

How does the First Secretary assess the impact of his policies on incomes in particular, bearing in mind that in some sectors they seem to have gone up very rapidly as compared with prices?

Mr. Brown

We have been through all this before, every time I appear at this Box. It is time that the right hon. Gentleman got hold of the point that one must look at the successes as well as those cases which do not seem to be succeeding quite so well. Only the other day, the electricity power workers accepted a settlement at the norm and said that they were doing it because they wanted to accept their responsibility under the policy. Only a little while before that, Vauxhall Motors and the unions there came to an agreement at the norm and specifically said that they were doing it because they wanted to uphold the policy. There are many cases where it is having impact.

Mr. Bryan

As incomes have in general increased five times as fast as production, is not the impact of the right hon. Gentleman's policy the popular one of more money for less work?

Mr. Brown

I at least am trying to bring the increase in incomes—all incomes, directors' fees as well as other kinds of incomes—into line with the increase in productivity. I would welcome the hon. Member's help.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

I am glad that the right hon. Gentleman has said that productivity is indeed the crucial figure. Does he not agree that in 1964 the working population actually increased while production remained stagnant? How can he say that his policy has had an impact when productivity has, in fact, declined?

Mr. Brown

It is a little late for the hon. Member to be defending the record of 1964. He had better look at 1966.

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

As the right hon. Gentleman said in the programme in question that those employed in industries of rising productivity should get more than the norm, and as he also said that workers in other industries were entitled to be brought up to the norm, is not this a formula for built-in inflation?

Mr. Brown

I am sorry that the hon. Baronet has got it wrong. I did not say either of the things which he suggests. If he will get this extra little production by Rediffusion, which produced the entire broadcast, and—as he has obviously got it—if he will read it, he will find that he has got it wrong.

Mr. Maxwell

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in spite of the fact that the Opposition are behaving so irresponsibly in this matter—[Interruption.]—the country is fully behind him? [Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is Question Time. I want to hear the questions.

Mr. Maxwell

Is my right hon. Friend further aware that the business community are 100 per cent. behind all his efforts and, further—

Mr. Speaker

No further. That is long enough.

Mr. Brown

From the 100 per cent., we must apparently exclude the Chairman of I.C.I. Otherwise, I gather, we are getting very near that. The real point, however, is not what I am aware of. It is that the country is aware of the irresponsibility of those on the benches opposite.

Mr. Heath

As the First Secretary has told us again today that he is rightly proud of the success of his policy—and we understand his pride—can he explain to the House why later today he is introducing an "early warnings" Bill? Can he also tell us whether the name of his right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology will also be backing the Bill?

Mr. Brown

It does not look to me as; though either of those points arises on this Question. The answer to both of them will be given in due course. In the meantime, may I say again to the right hon. Gentleman that I do not want to keep the pride to myself and that I would be only too happy to share a little of it with him.