§ 21. Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for Trade when he now expects to complete his consultations prior to bringing forward proposals for an extension of industrial democracy.
§ Mr. DellMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced at the meeting of the National Economic Development Council last week that he will be meeting both sides of industry to follow up the discussions that have already been held. The timing of our proposals will be influenced by the outcome of these further discussions, but they will not be unduly delayed.
§ Mr. NeubertWhy, when the Prime Minister constantly disowns the idea of confrontation, do the Government insist on their proposals for statutory industrial democracy in the face of implacable hostility from the Confederation of British Industry? Is it because the Government's attitude remains one of total deference to the trade union movement?
§ Mr. DellIt is because my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister does not wish to seek confrontation that he has taken upon himself this effort to see whether any sort of consensus is possible, and in that connection he will be meeting the CBI in approximately five minutes.
§ Mr. GowDoes the Secretary of State agree that in any legislative proposals which may be introduced by the Government it is important to bear in mind the interests of those who are not members of trade unions as well as the interests of those who are members of trade 1017 unions? In that connection, will he remember that the number of non-unionists in this country exceeds the number of union members by more than 1 million?