HC Deb 16 December 1974 vol 883 cc322-3W
Mr. Tugendhat

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if all members of trade unions affiliated to the TUC are a party to the social contract;

(2) if members of trade unions which are not affiliated to the TUC are a party to the social contract.

Mr. Booth

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Mr. Stanley) on 3rd December.—[Vol. 882, c. 1328.]

Mr. Arnold

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many wage settlements he knows of in which the Conciliation and Arbitration Service played a part; and which are outside the terms of the social contract.

Mr. Booth

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Chingford (Mr. Tebbit)—[Vol. 880, c. 210.]—on 7th November 1974. This applies to settlements where the Conciliation and Arbitration Service assists with negotiations as much as it does to others.

Mr. Arnold

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he proposes that the Conciliation and Arbitration Service should be given a formal obligation to observe the terms of the social contract.

Mr. Booth

No. Whether a settlement is or is not within the terms of the social contract can only finally be a matter for the two negotiating parties and not for the Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

Mr. Churchill

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will now publish the social contract as a White Paper.

Mr. Booth

No.