§ 58. Mr. Watkinsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will call a national conference of representatives of the trades unions, of management and of the Departments of State concerned, to make urgent recommendations for an increase in productivity particularly in those industries concerned with re-armament and exports.
§ Mr. GaitskellI doubt if there is anything to be gained from calling such a national conference. The subject of productivity is continually discussed through the recognised channels of the National Production Advisory Council on Industry, the National Joint Advisory Council, the Engineering Advisory Council and the Regional Boards for Industry, all of which consist of representatives of management, the trades unions and the Government Departments concerned. The hon. Member will no doubt also be aware of the many activities designed to promote increased productivity carried on by the Government and industry including, for example, the work of the Anglo-American Council on Productivity, regional and district conferences and a substantial amount of publicity on the subject.