§ 7. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the progress of his investigation into the payment of supplementary benefit in industrial disputes, indicating when he now expects to complete it.
§ Sir K. JosephThe Government's review is continuing and I cannot forecast a date for its conclusion.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the sight of strikers striking in defiance of an order making a strike illegal under phase 2 of the counter-inflationary policy and receiving subsidy from the taxpayer to prolong that strike will appear entirely logical to the mass of the community? Will he confirm that it is likely that such strikers in phase 2 will also receive subsidised butter supplies?
§ Sir K. JosephThe question of subsidised butter is still being considered by Ministers. It is not the striker who receives the benefit—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] I apologise to my hon. Friend for drawing cheers from an unwelcome quarter on this subject. It is not the strikers who draw benefit, except in the rarest case; it is the wives and children. It still remains a matter of urgent public concern that £8 million of the taxpayers' money, coming to some extent from relatively poor people in indirect taxation, went for this purpose last year. That is why the review by Ministers is so important.
§ Mr. WellbelovedWill the Minister bear in mind that it is in the national interest that there should be reconciliation and co-operation rather than confrontation and conflict, and that the spirit of the British working class will not be broken by petty restrictions on payments to the wives and families of men fighting for their democratic rights?
§ Sir K. JosephYes, but I hope that the hon. Gentleman will preach the same doctrine to all concerned.
§ Mr. William ClarkDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that it is illogical for unions to bring men out on strike and refuse to give them strike pay and that it is nonsensical that the taxpayer should adopt the rôle of the trade unions and pay strike pay? Surely there should be a notional deduction from supplementary benefits to take account of strike pay which should be paid.
§ Sir K. JosephThe possibilities inherent in my hon. Friend's supplementary question are among those being considered by Ministers, but Ministers have to be sure that any proposal that is introduced is workable and will not harm wives and children.
§ Mr. HefferThe right hon. Gentleman should not apologise for drawing Opposition cheers. He is only explaining to his hon. Friends in words of one syllable exactly what the situation is. Is it not clear to the right hon. Gentleman and his right hon. Friends that the reason why the Government have nad to pay out so much in benefits this year is the absurd industrial relations policy pursued by the Government?
§ Sir K. JosephNo, I do not accept that, and I am glad to correct the hon. Gentleman. The record of payment of benefit was very high last year but so far this year has been relatively low.