HC Deb 15 October 1968 vol 770 cc205-6

Mr. Wyatt (by Private Notice) asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will make a statement on the present situation in the engineering industry.

The Under-Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (Mr. Harold Walker)

Representatives of the Engineering Employers' Federation and the full Executive of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions met under my right hon. Friend's chairmanship last night. Detailed discussion then continued for four hours in a smaller joint working party under official chairmanship.

This morning, a further plenary meeting received a report on the working party's discussion and the two sides then met separately at the Department to consider matters arising. My right hon. Friend is chairing further discussions this afternoon.

I am sure that my hon. Friend will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to say anything further at this stage.

Mr. Wyatt

Would the Government confirm that they will not give their blessing to any agreement which goes beyond the spirit of the Government's prices and incomes policy and that in the event of there being no agreement the Government will instantly use their powers under Part II of the 1919 Act to set up a court of inquiry to resolve the causes of the dispute?

Mr. Walker

On the question of incomes policy, I am sure that the House would want to await the outcome of the discussions and see whether there is agreement. I doubt whether the House would want me to say anything which might exacerbate what we all agree is a very difficult situation.

Mr. R. Carr

Would the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the desire of the House to be informed as soon as possible when there is any news? Would his right hon. Friend bear in mind and convey to the parties that, in view of the very grave national damage which might result from this strike, we think that the public would find it intolerable if a strike were to take place as a result of the decision of a majority of one in a committee of 61 without a ballot of the members involved when there is growing evidence that the majority of the workers in the factories do not wish to strike?

Mr. Walker

I give the undertaking on behalf of my right hon. Friend that we shall keep the House fully informed, and as quickly as possible, of the outcome of the current discussions.

My right hon. Friend has spelled out on several occasions her deep concern about the gravity of the implications of this situation, and I am sure that she will take into account the right hon. Gentleman's observations.

Mr. Heffer

Is my hon. Friend aware that he is very wise not to be drawn into making any statement, particularly if it is the desire of the whole House that we should endeavour to get a settlement of this situation and avoid a strike next Monday? Is he further aware that he is also wise not to take the advice of my hon. Friend the Member for Bosworth (Mr. Wyatt), whose information and experience in relation to the Liverpool docks proved disastrous and, I am sure, will prove disastrous in this case?

Mr. Walker

I am sure that my hon. Friend is quite correct.

Forward to