HC Deb 23 April 1970 vol 800 cc615-6
19. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will make a further statement about her discussions with bank employers regarding the National Board for Prices and Incomes latest report on terms of employment in the banks.

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

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 19th March. — [Vol. 798, c. 160.]

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Is it not true that the Federation of Bank Employers has told the right hon. Lady and Mr. Jones to go boil an egg? Had he not better admit this, and is not the Federation absolutely right to have done so?

Mr. Walker

The hon. Gentleman is quite wrong, because my Department is now engaged in discussions with the banks.

Mr. Macdonald

Would the hon. Gentleman explain how these agreements reached between the banks and the National Union of Bank Employees are referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes far more frequently than appears to be the case with agreements reached in other industries?

Mr. Walker

These agreements were referred in " line " with the requirement of the Government's prices and incomes policy for 1969.