HC Deb 24 July 1975 vol 896 cc770-2
Q4. Mr. Lawson

asked the Prime Minister when he next expects to take the chair at a meeting of the NEDC.

Q8. Mr. Norman Lamont

asked the Prime Minister when he next intends to take the chair at a meeting of the NEDC.

Q10. Mr. Stanley

asked the Prime Minister when he will next take the chair at a meeting of the NEDC.

Mr. Edward Short

I have been asked to reply.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. McNair-Wilson) on 24th June.

Mr. Lawson

I do not know what that answer was. But while we all understand the great anxiety that the Government have not to publish the secret reserve powers Bill until after the TUC conference in September, nevertheless, can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether it is true that the reserve powers in draft would impose penalties on employers in the private sector but not impose penalties on employers in the public sector and nationalised industries; and if not, why the distinction?

Mr. Short

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer explained the contents of the reserve powers Bill fully in his speech at the beginning of the week.

Mr. Molloy

Will my right hon. Friend inform my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister that, official figures notwithstanding, there is still grave apprehension among ordinary people about rises in prices? Will the special secret powers be able to deal with those latter-day Old Mother Hubbards who stock their cupboards full and tell everybody that they are empty until there are high prices?

Mr. Short

Without commenting on the Old Mother Hubbards, I can say that the contents of the Bill are not secret. My right hon. Friend spelt out in precise terms what the Bill contains. As for publication of the 13111, as I said last week I hope that it will never have to be published.

Mr. Lamont

What is the real difference between a statutory incomes policy and an incomes policy imposed with a threat of statutory action if it is not accepted?

Mr. Short

The difference is that there is a statute to enforce it.

Mr. Frank Allaun

To overcome the growing and tragic unemployment situation, may I ask the Government to launch a great housing and public works programme, such as in similar circumstances President Roosevelt produced in the thirties? Since it costs £2,000 a year to keep an unemployed building worker and his family by way of tax relief and unemployment benefit, would it not be better to have that man working? Will the Government reject the advice of the Treasury and Conservative Members who call for a reduction in public spending? Will my right hon. Friend say that, on the contrary, this is the very moment to increase such spending for all purposes?

Mr. Short

Everyone will share my hon. Friend's concern about these tragic figures. Unemployment and inflation are our major problems this year. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment is to make a statement very shortly.

Mr. Stanley

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how the new pay policy can possibly work fairly if those who have an entitlement to annual increments can secure substantially more than £6 while those who do not have such entitlements cannot?

Mr. Short

The hon. Gentleman knows that the entitlement to increments has been agreed, provided that the total wage bill does not exceed the product of the £6.

Mr. English

Does my right hon. Friend agree that in the last quarter of an hour we have heard a great deal of sickening hypocrisy from Conservative Members? Does he further agree that although they claim to be in favour of controlling inflation, they have been busily pointing out the level of unem- ployment and sniping at the pay policy, as no doubt they will go on doing all night?

Mr. Short

I am sure that this is correct. The country will have noticed the posture of the Opposition in the past few days—with one or two notable exceptions.

Mr. Peyton

If the right hon. Gentleman continues to claim that the contents of the secret powers Bill were fully disclosed by the Chancellor the other day, why does he continue to object to publishing those contents?

Mr. Short

There is no need to publish a Bill which is not required. If it is required it will be published. I have explained that carefully.

Mr. David Steel

Since the Government are appealing for national unity and for support of their policies, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to suggest to the Prime Minister that when he takes the chair at the next NEDC meeting he should pursue the suggestion of the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection and invite representatives from Opposition parties to share in discussions on the Government's policies?

Mr. Short

I will certainly pass that suggestion on to the Prime Minister when he returns.

Mr. Speaker

Does the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Wells) wish to raise a point of order?

Mr. Wells

No longer, Sir.