§ Ql. Mr. Duffyasked the Prime Minister on how many occasions he has now taken the chair at meetings of the NEDC.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)I have taken the chair at meetings of the NEDC twice this year and on 24 occasions in all.
§ Mr. DuffyWill the Prime Minister say whether the NEDC is interested in the energy aspects, and especially the international aspects, of monetary control?
§ The Prime MinisterThe council at present is giving high priority to the question of investment with special reference to the objectives of investment, firm by firm, in public and private industry. It is at present working out its programme for 1975 and the whole House will appreciate that all the work coming before the NEDC is dominated, as yesterday's debate showed, by the international aspects of energy and the financial consequences of the world energy situation.
§ Mr. Jasper MoreHas the Prime Minister any plans to meet the miners?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir; I have no immediate plans to meet the mine-workers. I understand that the executive of the NUM met yesterday and took a decision on the situation. We had better wait and see how things develop.
§ Mr. FordIs my right hon. Friend aware that his chairmanship of the NEDC gives him unique authority on economic affairs? Will he take the opportunity, early in the new year, to broadcast to the nation setting out in plain and stark detail the economic situation, the remedies and the sacrifices which are necessary? will he tell the people what is expected of them? They are waiting to hear.
§ The Prime MinisterI have done so, and I shall do so again whenever I consider it to be desirable.
§ Mr. HeathWhat action do the Government propose to take to deal with breaches of the social contract?
§ The Prime MinisterThis matter was fully debated yesterday. I should think that the Leader of the Opposition, who answered none of the questions put to him yesterday, ought occasionally to pay tribute to the large number of cases settled within the social contract, instead of going nit-picking round the place trying to find every case where it has gone wrong.
§ Mr. HeathSince the Prime Minister was not in the House last night to hear the speech of the Secretary of State for Employment, he will not know that his right hon. Friend did not answer this question. Therefore, will the Prime Minister now say what action the Government are taking to deal with breaches of the social contract?
§ The Prime MinisterIn every case, whether before or after the event, there is a danger that the guidelines are not being followed. These are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment or other Ministers who are concerned with the particular industries involved. The Leader of the Opposition was asked yesterday what he would do. The only alternative was clear —namely, a return to statutory policies, which would once again produce the three-day working week.