HC Deb 21 November 1974 vol 881 cc490-1W
Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will issue a further statement on the negotiated settlement of the strike at Rolls-Royce (1971), attributing criticism for the breach of the social contract to all parties engaged in the dispute.

Mr. Foot

I have not issued any such statement as the hon. Member suggests but the comments made by my Department related to the settlement reached in the collective bargaining between the two sides.

Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether the statement by officials from his Department, criticising the management of Rolls-Royce (1971) for negotiating a settlement of the strike at the Scottish factories was made with his authority;

(2) whether he will place in the Library the statement made by his Department on the pay settlement by Rolls-Royce (1971) and its relation to the social contract.

Mr. Foot

My Department did not issue a statement but, with my prior knowledge, commented on the settlement in reply to questions. There is therefore no statement available to be placed in the Library.

Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) on how many occasions he or his Department held discussions with either the management or the employees involved in the Rolls-Royce (1971) dispute during the period of the strike;

(2) what discussions he has had with the two sides involved in the dispute at Rolls-Royce Limited; and what advice he gave to management and representatives of the strikers at the Scottish factories in an effort to reach a settlement within the guidelines of the social contract.

Mr. Foot

It is not customary to reveal all the contacts made by me or my Department with the parties concerned during an industrial dispute.

Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he plans to meet the management and unions involved in the negotiated settlement of the strike at Rolls-Royce 1971, in order to seek to reach an amended agreement which would be within guidelines of the social contract.

Mr. Foot

Since the abolition of the statutory pay controls it is not Government policy to interfere with settlements reached in collective bargaining.