HC Deb 18 May 1972 vol 837 cc690-2
Q9. Mr. Duffy

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on his meeting with the Confederation of British Industry on 8th May.

Q10. Mr. Ashton

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on his talks at Downing Street with the Confederation of British Industry on Monday, 8th May.

The Prime Minister

Together with my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Secretary of State for Employment I met representatives of the CBI on 8th May. We carried forward our examination of current economic issues, including industrial relations policy, in the light of my earlier discussions with the CBI and with the TUC. As to CBI views on the future of price restraint, I would refer the hon. Members to the Answer I gave earlier today to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne).

Mr. Duffy

I noted that answer with great interest. But is the Prime Minister aware that conciliation was reported as the dominant topic of those talks? The right hon. Gentleman has pursued this theme vigorously in public statements since then. How does he explain his anxiety, scarcely before the ink of the Industrial Relations Act is dry? Has he already lost confidence in that Act or does he see it as an obstacle to agreement between the CBI and the TUC, without which conciliation is impossible?

The Prime Minister

In the context of the Industrial Relations Act, conciliation has to be carried on and the Act specifically provides for it. The discussion we have had with the TUC and the CBI has been about what the machinery for that conciliation should be.

Mr. Tapsell

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, contrary to the report which appears on the front page of The Times today, there is very strong support indeed for the Government's policies to curb both inflation and unemployment?

The Prime Minister

I am absolutely certain that that is so, and today's figures show that the measures we have taken are now bearing fruit. A reduction of 103,000 in the figure of unemployed in one month is certainly proof of the effectiveness of our policies.

Mr. Edwin Wainwright

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many industrialists have indicated that they would prefer to work with the trade unions outside the Industrial Relations Act? Does not the Prime Minister consider that it ought to be more voluntary than ever now, instead of trying to foist this Act down the throats of industrialists and trade unionists?

The Prime Minister

I cannot agree with the hon. Gentleman. The evidence of the desire among not only industrialists but also trade unionists to have order brought into industrial relations has been widespread for a long time, and this is what the Act has done.

Mr. Redmond

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the CBI has always respected the rule of law and will always do so? In that respect, would it not be better if the right hon. Gentleman the Deputy Leader of the Opposition were to encourage the trade unions to use the Industrial Relations Act in the interests of their members instead of his coming very close to what appeared to me to be contempt of court in a speech last night?

The Prime Minister

I think it is true that the CBI has urged its members to observe the Industrial Relations Act. I think that the trade unions themselves are now more and more adhering to the measures in that Act.

Mr. Ewing

Is the Prime Minister claiming that the highest May unemployment figures since 1930 are a direct result of the Government's economic policies?

The Prime Minister

What I am saying is that I am sorry right hon. and hon. Members opposite so obviously regret a reduction of 103,000.