HC Deb 10 April 1974 vol 872 cc412-3
13. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct the Scottish Development Department to carry out an in-depth investigation into the condition of the Scottish newspaper industry; and if he will publish the result.

Mr. William Ross

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said in the House—[Vol. 870, c. 1320–22.]—that the Government are urgently considering the possibility of an inquiry into the newspaper industry. The hon. Gentleman must await the Government's decision.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

I recognise the reasons for the right hon. Gentleman's reticence, but is it not a fact that no Government of any political colour can prevent the bosses of NATSOPA and SOGAT from pricing their members out of employment if they are determined so to do? I put to the right hon. Gentleman two matters which he should investigate. Is he responsible for the Price Commission in relation to the tragic demise of Beaverbrook Newspapers in Scotland? I refer him to what a member of the Price Commission herself said in public on the matter. Secondly, there is the allegation in the House by the hon. Member for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire (Mr. Reid) that new machinery was moved from Glasgow to the Evening Standard in London— although never used—for reasons connected with regional grants. This allegation must be investigated and cleared up.

Mr. Ross

I assure the hon. Gentleman that in relation to the exhaustive discussions I have had with Beaverbrook Newspapers and others I got the impression that it was not purely a Scottish matter, and the hon. Gentleman in his intervention did not relate it to anything that was purely Scottish. I remember that the Leader of the Opposition said that the management of the industry was also worth inquiring into.

Mr. Dalyell

If there is to be an investigation may we have an inquiry into the question why Beaverbrook Newspapers, which for many years has lectured us on how to conduct industrial relations, has offered such paltry redundancy terms?

Mr. Ross

It is a question not only of redundancy terms but also of the shortness of the notice given to the people concerned. This reflects considerably on industrial relations in the newspaper industry.