HC Deb 13 December 1976 vol 922 cc942-3
2. Mr. Warren

asked the Secretary of State for Industry when he last met, and when he next proposes to meet, the Chairman of British Airways.

Mr. Kaufman

The Chairman of British Airways customarily deals with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade.

Mr. Warren

Will the Minister assure the House that he does not share the opinion of the Prime Minister about the political ignorance of the Chairman of British Airways, and will he make it clear that, in his responsibility for the Corporation, that is not the view of his Department?

Mr. Kaufman

I share the opinion of the Prime Minister on any topic I can think of.

Mr. Adley

As Mr. Len Murray and certain members of the Labour Party have been pressing the management of Grunwick Processing Laboratories to allow a ballot of workers about joining a union, should not the same rules be applied to members of British Airways who do not want to be forced into a closed shop situation? Will the Minister press this view on Mr. Murray and his friends?

Mr. Kaufman

The Secretary of State for Trade is the sponsoring Minister for British Airways. The hon. Member should put the question to him. In a week in which the latest developments at Grunwick Laboratories continue to be odious and disgusting, I am surprised that the hon. Member should see fit to raise that analogy again.