HC Deb 11 July 1966 vol 731 cc952-3
21. Sir C. Osborne

asked the Minister of Labour if, in every case of strikes or threatened strikes, official or unofficial, notified to his Department, he will have published the average gross wages normally earned by those involved in the dispute; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

No, Sir.

Sir C. Osborne

Would it not be fairer to the general public to give these gross earnings in every case so that the public can more adequately and fairly judge the merits of a strike and whether or not the demand should be met?

Mrs. William

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would not want to give a distorted impression, and it would be very difficult for us to give anything else. Because of differences in occupations, levels of skills and so forth, almost any average we might make for such purposes would tend to be meaningless and open to distortion.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

Is the hon. Lady aware that as these returns of strikes are often done through trade associations, many firms who pride themselves oft good labour relations do not give any notice and, therefore, the published figures are distorted?

Mrs. Williams

I am afraid that, again, in a voluntary system we must depend on which employers are prepared to report and which are not. I am sure that the hon. Member would be the last to want to make such reports compulsory.

Mr. Manuel

Would my hon. Friend agree that in cases of threatened strikes, or of strikes that are breaking out, or official or unofficial strikes, she should publish the rates of dividends earned by the particular industry?

Mrs. Williams

I think that that is a fair point. I am sure that if we did one we should do the other.