TUC (Hansard, 7 February 1978)

§ Q2. Mr. Ward
asked the Prime Minister when he last met the TUC.

§ The Prime Minister
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Radice) on 2nd February.

§ Mr. Ward
In view of the comment last week which my right hon. Friend made to my hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham (Mr. Atkinson) that it was impossible to discuss any future economic progress in this country without discussing the role of wages and incomes, will he take advantage of the favourable economic indicators and invite the TUC to talk seriously about plans for a strategic view of wages and incomes in 1978–79?

§ The Prime Minister
There is continuous contact between the TUC and Members of the Government, particularly the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on all these issues. Of course the question of the future of inflation does to some extent depend, but not wholly, on levels of income. I would like to draw the attention of the House to the central issue with which we must deal—that of inflation. Anyone who criticises the Government should say how he or she intends to deal with it. I hope that we shall hear from the Opposition on this matter today.

§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson
Is the Prime Minister aware of the concern expressed by hon. Members on both sides of the House about the disgraceful behaviour of the Transport and General Workers' Union in blacking rail-borne freight to the Didcot distribution centre? Will he raise this matter with the TUC?

§ The Prime Minister
I have been following this matter but I think that I should leave it to the Secretary of State for Transport—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] The Opposition seem singularly dense this afternoon. That is what ministerial responsibility is all about. The Secretary of State is having discussions and I hope that they will resolve the dispute.

§ Mr. Fernyhough
During the later debate today, it is expected that the Government will have to list the names of the firms to which they have denied Government help. Will the Prime Minister see that during the debate we also learn the names of all the firms that have had Government help?

§ The Prime Minister
My right hon. Friend the Member for Jarrow (Mr. Fernyhough) has hit naturally on the central issue—that when the Government take action they notify the individuals 1233 concerned about it and do not publish it to the world, whether it is in relation to price restraint or to subsidies. I shall certainly listen to as much of today's debate as I can, and I shall read the debate. Actually, I do not see any reason why the Government should not publish the names of these firms. This has never been any secret between the Government and the firms. However, before we do so we should perhaps have discussions with the CBI—

§ Mr. Powell
Leave the CBI out of it.

§ The Prime Minister
Yes, I believe we should have discussions with the CBI, just as I would have discussions with any other interests, including hon. Members on the Opposition Benches. I think that we should discuss this also with the Chambers of Commerce and take their views on the matter before coming to a final conclusion. I understand that the right hon. Member for Down, South (Mr. Powell) would like me to behave like a dictator, but I do not intend to do so.