HC Deb 11 June 1974 vol 874 cc1396-7
13. Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will prepare plans for the democratic election of workers' representatives to the boards of nationalised industries: and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Booth

As I promised on 18th March in reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley)—[Vol. 870, c. 30]—the Government are considering ways of making the managements of nationalised industries more responsible to the employees in the industries as indicated in our election manifesto.

Mr. Cryer

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he not accept, however, that the nationalised industries should be the pacemakers in industrial democracy? Will he consult the unions about producing a plan in this respect? Will he accept that the principle of public ownership would have much wider acceptance if it seemed to be Socialist in character?

Mr. Booth

The special conditions that apply to a nationalised industry in this respect depend to a very large extent upon the form in which the industry is nationalised and the terms of the Act. However, I am convinced that there is a will to negotiate and to determine matters in nationalised industries, as has been evidenced by developments in the National Coal Board, which bodes well for an extension of nationalised industry. I take my hon. Friend's point. We are to have a number of discussions with trade unions in preparation for our industrial democracy Bill which will reflect, I hope, the possibilities which exist in the public sector which would enable these industries to become pacemakers in this respect.

Mr. Farr

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that most nationalised industries already have a difficult enough time in making ends meet without the addition of a large number of ghost directors, whose main preoccupation would surely be that of improving the lot of employees?

Mr. Booth

The efficiency of nationalised industries, as of industries in the private sector, can be considerably improved by having effective schemes for industrial democracy and by the promotion of effective representation of workpeople's interests in these firms and industries.