§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Minister of Labour whether he had received a report from the Chairman of the Motor Industry Joint Labour Council; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GunterIn accordance with the terms of his appointment, Mr. Scamp, the Chairman of the Motor Industry Joint Labour Council, has submitted to me a report on the Council's activities and on certain general aspects of industrial relations in the motor car industry.
The report points out that since its establishment the Council has been largely occupied with enquiries into particular 168W disputes. In my view, these have been of great value in the settlement of disputes and the avoidance of stoppages.
The report expresses the hope that the Council will be able in future to give more attention to its wider task of promoting good relations in the industry. As a basis for action, Mr. Scamp considers it essential that there should be more and better information about industrial relations matters in the industry and that a detailed examination of the procedural arrangements for dealing with disputes in the industry should be undertaken. The Council is pursuing these and other matters.
Mr. Scamp hopes to sbmit a further report on these wider issues in the autumn and suggests that it might serve as a basis for examination by the Government, the employers and the unions of the state of relations in the industry. I have indicated my agreement with this suggestion.
I should like to take this opportunity of thanking Mr. Scamp and his colleagues for the valuable work they are doing.