HC Deb 18 March 1971 vol 813 cc1646-8
Q5. Mr. Strang

asked the Prime Minister how many letters he has received from trade unionists on matters for which he is responsible since 1st January 1971; how many of them referred to the declining purchasing power of wages; and what replies he has sent.

The Prime Minister

I have received about 150 letters this year on the cost of living. It is not possible to identify how many of these have been from trade unionists. The replies have pointed out that inflationary wage settlements lead to increased prices, and thus reduce the purchasing power of wages.

Mr. Strang

Does the right hon. Gentleman expect to have a meaningful dialogue with trade unionists while his Government are not only forcing up prices but putting thousands of workers on the dole in a vain attempt to hold down wages?

The Prime Minister

This Government are putting no one on the dole [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—and have no intention of doing so. The dialogue between the Trades Union Congress, the Scottish Trades Union Congress and myself and my colleagues in the past fortnight has certainly been meaningful, as they themselves have said.

Mr. Awdry

Will my right hon. Friend tell us how many people are unemployed today directly due to the politically motivated strike which is taking place?

The Prime Minister

Surely there can be few things more foolish in these circumstances than for men, today engaged on a political strike which is condemned by the Leader of the Opposition, to cause damage to their firms, to their industries and to our exports, and to put their jobs in jeopardy. That is the sheer foolishness —[HON. MEMBERS: "Heffer! Heifer!"] That is the sheer foolishness of trade union leaders who are leading their members to that fate, and the regrettable thing is that so many have followed them. The only thing more regrettable is that those who refused to follow them have been fined.

Mr. McBride

What does the right hon. Gentleman propose to do in relation to Wales, where a great gap exists and where unemployment is mounting? Will he instruct the Department of Trade and Industry and the Secretary of State for Employment to come forward with positive proposals for job restitution to offset the mounting redundancies which are occurring with ominous frequency? Is he aware that all his policies in Wales lie in ruins?

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the special measures which were being taken for Wales with the creation of certain additional special development areas. This is of value to Wales. I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman would be fair enough to say that, under both Governments, what has been remarkable during the past three winters is that the level of unemployment in Wales has remained roughly stationary. This has shown that Wales, over the past 25 years, has built up a much more stable economy.

Mr. Harold Wilson

While agreeing with what the right hon. Gentleman said about today's strikes, which is the view that the T.U.C. have taken and which I have taken and others have taken—

Sir G. Nabarro

Not Heffer.

Mr. Mellish

Shut up!

Mr. Wilson

Agreeing with the right hon. Gentleman, as I have just said, would he not agree now, after today's Questions on this subject, that it would be better and more convenient to the House if he were to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT his catalogue of alibis and excuses, and then to stand on his own two parliamentary feet and answer the questions which are put to him?

The Prime Minister

It might be better for the right hon. Gentleman and his party if he ceased to forget his past and exercised some sense of responsibility as Leader of the Opposition.

Several Hon. Members rose

Mr. Speaker

Order. We must get on. I call Mr. Harold Wilson to ask about the business for next week.

Mr. Harold Wilson

I am sorry, Mr. Speaker, that I was slow in rising, but I was overcome with the Prime Minister's effrontery.

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