HC Deb 24 October 1972 vol 843 cc979-80
18. Mr. Jessel

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has assessed the indirect effects upon the cost of living of the payment of normal social security benefits for strikers' families.

Mr. Higgins

These cannot be quantified.

Mr. Jessel

Would my hon. Friend not agree that possibly one of the side effects of these payments is to make it easier for strikers to insist on wage settlements which may be inflationary? Is this not of considerable importance for the economy and is it impossible to make an estimate?

Mr. Higgins

I do not believe that it would be possible to quantify these effects. I agree with my hon. Friend that there is widespread public concern about these payments. As he knows, the Secretary of State for Social Services is studying this question, but it is not an easy one.

Mr. Ashley

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that if the campaign which is being run by some of his hon. Friends succeeds, it will undermine the new approach of conciliation which has been undertaken by the Prime Minister? As the package deal is now in danger of sinking because it does not include profits, dividends and capital gains, will the hon. Gentleman warn his hon. and right hon. Friends that there will be even less chance of it succeeding if this campaign is pushed further?

Mr. Higgins

I do not accept the second part of the hon. Member's statement. This is a complicated question and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is looking at it.

Mr. Kenneth Lewis

Does my hon. Friend not agree that there is a great deal to be said for the unions contributing towards paying their own people who are on strike? Is he aware that many people feel that if the public are to contribute to national assistance strike payments, the unions should also contribute?

Mr. Higgins

I fully understand my hon. Friend's point. This question has complex ramifications. My right hon. Friend is looking at it.

Mr. Heffer

Is it not clear that the trade union members of the country pay both taxation and national insurance contributions? Should not their wives and families receive assistance according to the law of the land? Will the hon. Gentleman repudiate the vicious campaign that has come from some of his hon. Friends? Does he agree that it is an absolutely disgraceful campaign and that they obviously want working-class people to starve when they go on strike?

Mr. Higgins

The hon. Gentleman is certainly right with regard to the position of the striker by comparison with that of the dependants. As to the other aspect, my hon. Friends have expressed their views and the hon. Gentleman has expressed his. My right hon. Friend is looking at all aspects of this question, but it is a complicated one.