HC Deb 20 October 1975 vol 898 cc3-4
2. Mr. Lane

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he last discussed industrial problems with the CBI; and with what results.

Mr. Varley

I saw the CBI at the NEDC Meeting on 6th October, when there was a useful discussion on problems facing industry.

Mr. Lane

Will the Secretary of State acknowledge the very widespread feeling, of which I have had fresh evidence in my constituency this weekend, that the Government are prejudiced against the private sector? Will they now take further action, not just words, to back up their professed belief in a healthy and profitable private sector of industry?

Mr. Varley

I can only draw the hon. Gentleman's attention to the White Paper, "Regeneration of British Industry" which was laid before this House by my right hon. Friend who is now the Secretary of State for Energy, in which the first paragraph said that the Government were committed to a profitable private sector.

Mr. Moonman

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that in dealing with industry the issue goes beyond the CBI and that there are a number of management bodies with a vested interest and a right to be heard on the very important matter of strategy?

Mr. Varley

I agree with my hon. Friend that it is important to have dissions about industrial strategy other than with the TUC and the CBI. In the first instance, the Government are committed to discussing strategy within the forum of the NEDC, but we intend that the document will be published, and that there should then be the discussion that my hon. Friend calls for.

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