HC Deb 16 February 1976 vol 905 cc916-8
4. Mr. Ridley

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what proposals he has for worker participation in the coal mining industry.

Mr. Eadie

A Government committee is currently studying the problems of industrial democracy in the nationalised industries and any formal changes in the coal industry must await its report. There are already comprehensive arrangements for consultation at all levels within the industry and my right hon. Friend has revived, fostered and extended the pattern for joint consultations between Government, unions and Board which was begun in the coal industry examination of 1974.

Mr. Ridley

Why is the hon. Gentleman so pusillanimous? Why does he not give some pits to the miners and see whether they cannot get more money through that than through this absurd shackling structure of nationalisation and union monopoly, which is holding back their wages to a very considerable extent?

Mr. Eadie

The hon. Gentleman at one time occupied my present position on the Government Front Bench. He is not in any position to give lectures as to how to handle any industrial situation. As I have said, hon. Members can do a great disservice by making rather extravagant comments on the very delicate situation facing us. I ask the hon. Gentleman to appreciate that this is a matter for the unions to resolve. He should think about the interests of the nation rather than about trying to make party political capital.

Mr. Heffer

May I draw my hon. Friend's attention to the Labour Party's manifesto of February 1974, which clearly lays down that the Government intend to socialise the nationalised industries? [HON. MEMBERS: "What for?"] It means introducing worker participation. Will my hon. Friend tell his right hon. and hon. Friends in the Government that the committee that has been set up must not be used as an excuse for not taking speedy action once the committee reports?

Mr. Eadie

I endorse everything that my hon. Friend has said. That com- mittee will report and it will be the Government's intention to introduce appropriate legislation. I hope that my hon. Friend will agree that we have not stood still while waiting for this report. The initiatives taken on this matter by my right hon. Friend, which I have described earlier, have to some extent helped to introduce some democratisation within the industry.

Mr. Biffen

If the Under-Secretary has not stood still, will he indicate whether his movement in this matter leads him to regard favourably the National Coal Board as a suitable structure for a two-tier board?

Mr. Eadie

If the hon. Gentleman puts down a Question on that subject, I shall be happy to answer it.

Mr. Ridley

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

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