HC Deb 23 May 1968 vol 765 cc854-6
23. Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether, in order to promote industrial efficiency he will request the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation to acquire Henry Wiggin and Company of Hereford.

Mr. Frederick Lee

My right hon. Friend sees no reason in the public interest for making such a request.

Mr. Jenkins

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this Canadian-owned company has refused to recognise the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs and has dismissed the Association's local secretary from his employment with the company? Would my right hon. Friend make it clear to foreign-owned companies that, if they wish to operate here, they must conform to our customs and practices?

Mr. Lee

I am sorry to hear of that dispute. I know that the company recognises a wide variety of trade unions and has agreements with them, but, on a specific issue like this, I should have thought that my hon. Friend should put down a Question to the First Secretary of State.

Mr. Crouch

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that, if the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation is to play a useful function, it should resist requests and directions from his Ministry and perform a more objective operation?

Mr. Lee

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will read the fine Report of the I.R.C. published today, when I am sure that he will agree that it is doing a fine job.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

May I say that Henry Wiggin is the largest and most important industry in my constituency? Is the Minister aware that Henry Wiggin is in the forefront of the new trend towards the negotiation of labour agreements at plant level, that its exports have doubled in five years to a total of £7 million and that its productivity per employee has also doubled over the last five years—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Questions must be brief.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

With respect, Sir, this is a matter of great importance to my constituents—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Every hon. Gentleman's question is important.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

May I, therefore, ask the Minister whether he will disregard the tone of the question of his hon. Friend, since it was totally ignorant?

Mr. Lee

I am sure that the House will be grateful for the information which the hon. Gentleman has given us.

Mr. Higgins

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this was an irresponsible Question? Would he not agree that he should give due weight to the remarks of my hon. Friend, in whose constituency this firm is? Will he tell his hon. Friend what Section 2(1) of the Industrial Reorganisation Act actually says?

Mr. Lee

I have made it clear that the firm negotiates with a wide number of unions. One knows of its agreements this year and I suggested that, if there is, as could well be the case with many firms, a difference between it and one union, this is surely a question for the First Secretary.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

On a point of order. In view of the rather better answer to the very unsatisfactory Question which was asked, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. Speaker

Order. Notice must be given in the conventional fashion.