HC Deb 15 July 1976 vol 915 cc895-6
16. Mr. Hoyle

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next plans to meet the Governor of the Bank of England.

Mr. Joel Barnett

My right hon. Friend meets the Governor of the Bank of England frequently.

Mr. Hoyle

Knowing my right hon. Friend's desire for good relations with the TUC, may I ask him, next time he meets the Governor of the Bank of England, to discuss why a publicly-owned corporation is backing a "sweetheart" union—a staff association—at the expense of a TUC affiliate? Will he ensure that this courtship is broken off and that the TUC affiliate is granted the same facilities? If he wishes, I shall send him papers on this matter.

Mr. Barnett

I am happy to receive papers from my hon. Friend at any time. I note what he has said with a view to considering the matter when we have further discussions with the Governor.

Mr. Michael Marshall

Will the Chief Secretary ensure that when the Chancellor next meets the Governor he will say that he intends to resist the advice of his hon. Friends below the Gangway who are in favour of the nationalisation of banks? This is against the view of the vast majority of those who work in banks and of foreign investors and against the wholehearted views of the majority of the British people.

Mr. Barnett

I do not claim to speak, as the hon. Gentleman does, for the wholehearted view of the majority of people in this country. However, the Government have no plans to nationalise any company in the banking sector.