§ 3. Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement about the progress of the talks with the railway-men's representatives initiated by the Prime Minister over 12 months ago.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Roy Hattersley)My right hon. Friend has asked me to apologise to the House for his unavoidable absence this afternoon due to his participation in vital industrial negotiations elsewhere.
The Answer to Question No. 3 is that so far nine joint meetings under Ministry chairmanship have been held, and arrangements made for several others. Between meetings detailed discussions on the matters under consideration are taking place direct between the British Railways Board and the unions. The aim is to complete a review of pay and grade structure of British Railways salaried and conciliation staff by early summer.
§ Mr. MartenCan the hon. Gentleman say what benefits, if any, have accrued to the public, the railway travelling public or the taxpayer, as the result of the Prime Minister's intervention?
§ Mr. HattersleyI hope that the hon. Gentleman will understand that it is difficult to comment while meetings relating to this subject are going on, and I hope that he will not press me to give any answer which might prejudice those discussions.
§ Mr. R. CarrWe appreciate the need not to prejudice urgent discussions. However, when the Prime Minister intervenes as he has done, ought not the public to be told what has happened about it?
§ Mr. HattersleyThe intervention of the Prime Minister made it certain that a major review of wages, structure, organisation and many other facets of British Railways would be undertaken and that is why the negotiations have been so protracted. I hope that this afternoon's meeting will be one step towards getting 710 the successful conclusion which was made certain by the Prime Minister's original intervention.