HC Deb 10 July 1967 vol 750 c66
5. Mr. Moyle

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet fixed a date for the holding of a conference between the vice-chancellors of the universities and the unions concerned to create national negotiating machinery for university manual and domestic staffs.

Mr. Gunter

I understand that the T.U.C. are considering my suggestion that they and the unions concerned might have direct discussions with the Committee of Vice-Chancellors about the arrangements for negotiating the pay and conditions of these workers.

Mr. Moyle

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the staffs and the unions concerned are grateful for what he is doing, but will he undertake to do his utmost to secure a certain amount of emotional engagement with this problem on behalf of the vice-chancellors whose attitude has been likened to a spectator watching the Tiller Girls dancing in trousers?

Mr. Gunter

I do not think that I can guarantee the emotional entanglement of the vice-chancellors, but the T.U.C. has accepted my suggestion.