HC Deb 08 April 1971 vol 815 cc677-8
Q1. Mr. Barnett

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library of the House of Commons a copy of his public speech to the British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers Association in London on 16th March on economic policy.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Edward Heath)

I did so on 17th March.

Mr. Barnett

In the light of the Ford settlement, will the Prime Minister now accept that his policy of wage de-escalation in the private sector has failed? In view of the N.E.D.C. discussions that took place yesterday, is he prepared to reconsider the possibility of meeting and discussing with the T.U.C. its sensible proposals on a possible unofficial prices and incomes policy?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir, I do not accept that the policy of de-escalation has failed. I do not think that one could be expected to say that it had failed even when certain settlements have been made which are unduly high. The discussion that I had yesterday with the N.E.D.C. was a valuable one. I do not accept all the points put forward by the T.U.C. spokesman yesterday, but I have made it clear that we are always quite prepared at any time to discuss with the members of the T.U.C. or its economic committee any proposals for dealing with the question of inflationary wage settlements. There was a general desire yesterday that there should be a full discussion on this aspect of policy very soon in the N.E.D.C.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

I did not notice in the right hon. Gentleman's speech any reference to the undesirability of conspiratorial and collusive contracting in the electrical industry. Would it not have been a good thing for him to take part in a discussion of this subject in order to draw attention to the undesirable exploiting of the public sector by the electrical industry which now takes place and has been universally condemned?

The Prime Minister

I did not deal with that aspect of the industry because I was dealing with broad issues of Government policy. If the hon. Member has specific cases that he wishes to bring to the notice of my right hon. Friend, we can examine them.