§ 1. Mr. Longdenasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will particularise the measures to be taken by the Government, with a view to ensuring that incomes do not exceed productivity.
§ The First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Mr. Michael Stewart)I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the White Paper, Cmnd. 3235, and to my statement on 17th April —[Vol. 745, c. 92]—which, together, give an account of the steps the Government are taking to maintain an effective productivity, prices and incomes policy.
§ Mr. LongdenDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree with his Cabinet colleague, the Minister of Transport, who said last night on television that if we are to have proper planning we must 1670 plan incomes? Is he aware that if one plans incomes one dictates incomes, and is it not clear that if one plans and dictates prices this will lead directly to the direction of labour?
§ Mr. StewartIf the hon. Gentleman does not know the difference between "plan" and "dictate" he had better think again, because his own leaders are committed to believing in planning. As has been made clear, we believe that prices and incomes should be planned to the greatest extent possible by voluntary agreement.