§ 25. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what study he has given to information available to him from international sources about the access of the families of men who withdraw their labour in an industrial dispute to welfare benefits financed from public funds in Holland, France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Japan and the United States of America; and if he will take step to bring British practice into conformity with that prevailing overseas.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe availability of benefits to strikers and their dependants in other countries, and in some cases within those countries, varies greatly, and any detailed study of the relevant provisions would be unprofitable. It is clear that no common pattern has been established from which conclusions could be drawn.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneIs not it a fact that in the vast majority of the countries which are our overseas competitors no taxpayer subsidy is paid to strikers and that, so long as we continue to provide such a subsidy, we are imposing additional burdens in international competition on our taxpayers?
§ Mr. EnnalsThe hon. Gentleman is quite wrong. His deductions on whether other countries' strikers are in a better position do not tally with mine. If one looks at Germany, Sweden and parts of the United States, there is no doubt that the financial support for a striker is more substantial than in this country. If one looks at the Low Countries, France and certain parts of the United States the provision is less. A general conclusion such as that reached by the hon. Gentleman is quite incorrect.
§ Mr. HefferIs my hon. Friend aware, whether or not the point made by the hon. Gentleman is correct, that the incidence of strikes in most of the countries mentioned in the Question is much higher than in this country?
§ Mr. EnnalsThis is a question for my right hon. Friend the First Secretary.