§ 6. Mr. Hastingsasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what further steps she intends to take to establish a workable basis of industrial discipline within the shipbuilding industry.
§ Mr. HattersleyMy Department in consultation with the Shipbuilding Industry Board continues to encourage improvements in industrial relations in this industry on the lines recommended in the Geddes Report, and substantial progress has been made. Proposals in the White Paper "In Place of Strife" for improving relations in industry generally are also relevant.
§ Mr. HastingsIs not demarcation in this industry a particular problem resulting, indirectly at least, in loss of orders at present? Considering the Government's direct involvement on such a wide scale in the shipbuilding industry, will the hon. Gentleman pay attention to this in view of the debate we are to have soon?
§ Mr. HattersleyI think demarcation disputes can be a severe cause of difficulties, although occasionally I think their importance and disadvantages are over-stressed. Because I believe they are an important hurdle to be overcome, I am glad, as I am sure the House is, that in the recent pay settlement both sides agreed to make comprehensive national agreements to cover possible demarcation disputes.
§ Mr. BrooksWould not my hon. Friend agree that the recent decision to cease placing contracts for nuclear submarines at Cammell Lairds yards in Birkenhead was hardly the best way to encourage industrial morale in an area which has invested a great deal of time, money and expertise in this type of project?
§ Mr. HattersleyI suspect my hon. Friend realises that that is not a question for me.
§ Mr. RankinWould not my hon. Friend agree that the introduction of schemes such as we have for productivity on Clydeside is a method of creating industrial peace, which most of us want today?
§ Mr. HattersleyI certainly agree that that is one example, and there are others, of real progress in this field in this industry.