CONFEDERATION OF BRITISH INDUSTRY

HC Deb 27 February 1975 vol 887 cc695-8

Q1. Mr. Duffy

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his meeting with the CBI on 12th February.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

Yes, Sir. There was a full discussion of the Industry Bill, in which the representatives of the CBI outlined their anxieties on some of the provisions in the Bill. The Government undertook to consider the points that were raised, and the discussion on them was resumed at our meeting yesterday. I have arranged next week to hold a similar consultative meeting with the Economic Committee of the TUG. There will be a further meeting with the CBI in the near future.

Mr. Duffy

Did my right hon. Friend impress upon the CBI at both meetings the fact that the extension of industrial democracy is a prime aim of the Industry Bill and that the present anxiety of the CBI to restrict the disclosure of information leaves it open to the charge either that it wants to preserve the monopoly of information within the firm or otherwise preserve the prerogative of management?

The Prime Minister

There was a full discussion on both occasions about disclosure of information. I am 100 per cent. in support of much greater disclosure of information in these matters. Nevertheless, since the talks were confidential, I cannot disclose any information about what was said.

Mr. Churchill

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain what he means when he says, in the phrase attributed to him in more than one newspaper report of the speech, that the industry White Paper will take precedence over the Bill? How can this come about?

The Prime Minister

I am not quite sure what report the hon. Gentleman is talking about, because it was not a speech. The Question relates to a meeting with the CBI. As to the White Paper, I answered a Question about that on Tuesday. I commend the hon. Gentleman to study it.

Mr. Atkinson

Will my Friend the Prime Minister explain to the House, on the question of the disclosure of information, why he agreed with a CBI request to drop from the Industry Bill any reference to the disclosure of imports?

The Prime Minister

I thank my hon. Friend for his friendly question. I am a little at a loss to know how to answer it, because I do not recall any such discussions with the CBI. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor, who was present on that occasion and who is beside me now, is also at a loss to recollect anything of this kind.

Mrs. Thatcher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of us have studied his answer on Tuesday and find that, like other answers of his, it is not very clear? Is he aware that in paragraphs 31 and 33 the White Paper gives clear undertakings about the conditions for the acquisition of shares in companies but that the Bill does not reflect those conditions? Is he further aware that while he is saying one thing in his speeches his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry is doing another thing in the Industry Bill? Will the Prime Minister give the House an assurance that the Government will table amendments to bring the Bill into line with his undertakings in the White Paper?

The Prime Minister

I am sorry if the right hon. Lady felt that my answer the other day was not clear. It is perfectly clear. What are not clear are the policies of the Conservative Party on almost anything. I have the fullest confidence, however, that under the right hon. Lady's leadership all these things will become clear in time. [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer".] The right hon. Lady says "Hear, hear". What are hon. Members complaining about? As for the Question which I answered the other day, the issue was fully discussed yesterday with the CBI. It will be discussed with the TUC. If any amendments are needed for the purpose of clarification or improving the Bill they will be introduced. It would be premature at this stage, while discussions with the CBI and TUC are going on, to say exactly what we would consider as the right policy.

Mrs. Thatcher

The undertakings were quite clear, and it is quite clear that the Bill is not in accord with them. It is the Prime Minister's promise which is at stake now.

The Prime Minister

I am grateful to the right hon. Lady, because yesterday I explained to the CBI exactly what I had said in the House. We spent a great deal of time on both the disclosure of information—which was a separate question from what was raised on Tuesday—and the specific question relating to the White Paper. We discussed these matters at some length. When we have a statement to make to the House as a result of our consultations with both the CBI and the TUC we shall make it. If any amendments are necessary to the Bill or if any other form is appropriate, we shall carry those out.