HC Deb 29 January 1970 vol 794 cc1704-5
21. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if, in view of the recent proposals on wage parity between persons employed in the motor industry in different parts of Great Britain put forward by trades unionists at Vauxhall's and Ford's, a copy of which is in her possession, she will now initiate as a matter of urgency a general inquiry into wage parity in the motor industry.

Mr. Harold Walker

As negotiations following a claim for parity with the Midlands are taking place at Fords at present, it would not be appropriate for me to comment.

Mr. Gwilym Roberts

We all know that negotiations are taking place, but would my hon. Friend not agree that it has been evident for a very long time that this problem would dominate the motor industry this year? Does he not accept that the real need for his Department in matters of this kind is for it to anticipate and solve problems, and not merely to react to them?

Mr. Walker

I am quite sure that my hon. Friend would be one of the first to complain about Government interference with collective bargaining if we responded to that suggestion.

Mr. Crawshaw

Does my hon. Friend not realise that he was warned that this trouble would arise four months ago? It is all very well for people to laugh at the suggestion that his Department ought to intervene, but this is a problem that will always be with us. Whether or not this differential is now evened out, this matter is sure to arise again in regard to the people who have the differential taken from them. This matter must be settled on a nation-wide basis, not just in relation to one lot of unions.

Mr. Walker

My right hon. Friend and other Ministers have repeatedly warned of the dangers of constant leapfrogging and the restoration of differentials. In so far as my hon. Friend refers to that matter, I agree with him.