§ Q3. Mr. Mikardoasked the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to consultations between corporations and companies and the trade unions representing their employees.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government's policy is to encourage consultation between employers and trade unions.
§ Mr. MikardoHas my right hon. Friend noted the statement made in the Standing Committee by the—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. It is not in order for an hon. Member to refer in a question to debates in the current Session of Parliament.
§ Mr. MikardoI am much obliged for your correction, Mr. Speaker. May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that it has been said in at least one responsible quarter—
§ Mr. SpeakerIn the context of the hon. Gentleman's previous remark, that is exactly the same thing.
§ Mr. MikardoMay I try again to behave myself, Sir? Would my right hon. Friend approve of any suggestion made, if it were made, that managements in public corporations and companies should consult about their decisions with trade union representatives only after those decisions have been made?
§ The Prime MinisterIf such a statement did come to be made, and if it were in order for me to say that I had seen it, if it had been made, I should take the view that such a statement, if made, should be interpreted as meaning that the public corporation itself, whichever it be, has the duty to decide the main line of its policy—it must do that before it can enter into consultation on most things—but, having taken consultations, it should then reach its final decision when it knows the view of the trade union concerned.