HC Deb 17 May 1966 vol 728 c1122
Q2. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Prime Minister how many public speeches he has made since the general election to trade union conferences or their executive councils on Government policy.

The Prime Minister

Two, Sir. In addition, of course, I have had a private meeting with the National Union of Seamen.

Mr. Lewis

Nevertheless, does not the Prime Minister agree that all this adds up to a great many words which are rather opposite to the sort of words he was using at the time of the general election? In terms of action, can he say whether any union rule books have been sent to him or to the British Museum, or whether, arising out of his talks with the railwaymen, there has been any progress on liner trains?

The Prime Minister

What I have said at union conferences—I think it useful to say it to the rank and file delegates as well as to say it in central places like Westminster or the public platform—is exactly what I said at two elections, and exactly what I said to the T.U.C. even before the 1964 election.

As regards following up the railway talks of last February, as the House knows, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour had started a series of meetings on relating pay to productivity, and the first meeting at any rate was, I think, extremely successful. On liner trains, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport was discussing the matter with the union executive last week and pressing for acceptance of all that is needed.

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