TUC

HC Deb 14 June 1977 vol 933 cc222-3

Q2. Mr. Atkinson

asked the Prime Minister when he will next meet the TUC.

Mr. Foot

I have been asked to reply.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Corbett) on 3rd February.

Mr. Atkinson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at a meeting of TUC leaders this morning a great deal of bitterness was expressed at the fact that the wage restraint exercised by the trade unions over the last two years has not resulted either in a reduction of prices or in price restraint, has not created one additional job and has not led to any additional investment in productive industry? Is he aware that there is, therefore, some reluctance to go forward into a third year of wage restraint of that sort? Can he now assure the House that it is the Government's intention to back up any future agreement concluded with the trade unions with some price control, guarantees for industrial investment and some guarantees that this Government intend to be job-creative?

Mr. Foot

On the first part of my hon. Friend's remarks, if it had not been for the agreement reached between the Government and the trade unions over the past two years I have no doubt—I do not think that most of them would have much doubt—that both inflation and unemployment would be worse. Therefore, I believe that it was necessary to make those agreements, and I believe that it should be necessary also to make a further agreement. The form in which that agreement should be made—some of the matters raised by my hon. Friend are, of course, matters to be covered in those discussions—is still to be concluded, and discussions are proceeding on it at present.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

When the Prime Minister next meets the leaders of the TUC, can he discuss peaceful picketing and suggest to them that, except on Shrove Tuesday, it should be unnecessary to take eggs and flour on to a picket line?

Mr. Foot

It would be most improper and foolish for anyone from this Box and for most other people in the House to comment on the events of yesterday before we have had the report on the proceedings.