§ Q2. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Prime Minister, following the reallocation of responsibilities for Ministers and Departments concerned with prices, incomes, productivity, labour, economic affairs and associated matters, to what extent it remains his policy to be directly concerned with the work of the Department of Economic Affairs.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the Answers I gave to Questions on 11th April—[Vol. 762, c. 1585.]
§ Sir G. NabarroDoes not the Prime Minister recognise that there is continuing confusion as to his personal responsibility for economic and financial affairs? Does he recall that, only yesterday, the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) told him that the trade unions were about to desert the Labour Party? In these circumstances, will he not go to the helm at once and restore order in his own party?
§ The Prime MinisterRecognising the hon. Gentleman's consistent record for party loyalty over the past three or four weeks, should I consider that the situation called for any action on my part, I should not necessarily come to him for advice about it.
§ Sir G. NabarroI am giving it.
§ The Prime MinisterI gather that it was being given to me, but I was not accepting it.
On the earlier part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, about alleged confusion, the answer is, "No, Sir".
§ Mr. Christopher PriceDo not recent mergers point to the great success of the Government's industrial and economic policy, but will my right hon. Friend make sure that there is a particular Minister directly responsible for dealing with the grave injustices which can occur when particular mergers take place, for example, the redundancies announced yesterday at Witton?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. The House will have noted the great success, for example, of the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation—which, of course, was opposed by hon. Members opposite when it was set up.
I have on previous occasions expressed my concern about the way in which labour relations following closures after mergers have sometimes been handled, for example, in the Woolwich area. I have only just seen today the account to which my hon. Friend refers regarding the forthcoming redundancies in the Birmingham area. I shall certainly discuss this with my right hon. Friends and see that my hon. Friend is brought into the picture.
§ Mr. HeathWhen will the Prices and Incomes Bill be published, and will it contain all the proposals in the White Paper?
§ The Prime MinisterI expect that it will be published next week. The right hon. Gentleman will have plenty of time to study it and form his view about it.