HL Deb 09 February 1977 vol 379 cc1148-50

2.58 p.m.

Lord CHELWOOD

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will now announce the conclusions of the interdepartmental inquiries into "industrial democracy" in the nationalised industries, central and local government, and related bodies, so that, as promised, an overall view of the problem can be formed and public discussion stimulated.

Lord PEART

My Lords, as the Statement by my noble friend Lord Oram on 26th January 1977 made clear, the Government's conclusions on nationalised industries will depend on the consultations that will take place in parallel with the consultations on the Bullock Report. The studies for central and local government and related bodies are still continuing, It is therefore too early for the Government to announce their conclusions.

Lord CHELWOOD

My Lords, in spite of the fact that the terms of reference of the inquiries into the public sector were so drafted as to seek to produce the answers that Her Majesty's Government wanted, for obvious Government reasons, do not the Government deserve great credit for saying they wish to leave ample time for consultation and debate before drafting legislation on the whole question of industrial democracy? Would it not be an excellent way of stimulating this to publish a Green Paper incorporating the majority and minority reports from the Bullock Committee and the conclusions of the public sector inquiries in one volume so that there can be this widespread public debate?

Lord PEART

My Lords, I sympathise and agree with the noble Lord that it is right that we should have proper consultation before we come to a decision to produce a White Paper. But I believe that consultation should be purposeful.

Lord CARR of HADLEY

My Lords, perhaps I am not clear about this and, if so, I apologise for my lack of understanding. But I hope that there is no doubt that before final decisions are taken we are going to see a report about what is proposed in the public sector as well as the Bullock Report. These two must be looked at together.

Lord PEART

My Lords, I thought I made my position clear to the noble Lord.

Lord CHELWOOD

My Lords, the noble Lord the Lord Privy Seal will recollect that he wrote to me on 20th December and said that the Government were very anxious indeed that all those concerned should have an ample chance to make their views known before any legislation is introduced into Parliament. May I ask the noble Lord whether there will be an opportunity, for example, for consumers and taxpayers to make known their views about this series of inquiries into the public sector?

Lord PEART

My Lords, we shall debate these issues, and I have said I want good consultation.