§ 18. Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the resumption of productivity talks in Portsmouth Dockyard.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Dr. David Owen)This matter was discussed at a meeting of the Shipbuilding Trades Joint Council on 20th March, and the trade union side has recommended its local representatives to resume talks with the management.
§ Mr. JuddI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Will he confirm that the Government are committed to significant pay increases as soon as the problem can be overcome? Does he agree that the men's doubts are related to anxiety about the long-awaited Prices and Incomes Board Report on the pay of industrial civil servants; and will he do everything possible to speed publication of the report, and consequent action on it?
§ Dr. OwenMy hon. Friend should make the distinction between a productivity agreement and negotiations on basic 532 rates. His Question relates to productivity agreements, and there is no reason why meaningful discussions should not commence as soon as possible.