HC Deb 20 February 1978 vol 944 cc528-9W
Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether the statement in the published record of the telephone conversation dated 11th August 1977 between Mr. T. G. Andrews of John Lewis and an official of his Department that there was no suggestion that the partnership had acted improperly or irresponsibly is in accordance with his departmental record of the discussion; and, if so, why he felt it necessary to impose discretionary sanctions on the firm;

(2) whether the statement in the published record of the telephone conversation dated 11th August 1977 between Mr. T. G. Andrews of John Lewis and an official of his Department that she accepted that the partnership had been placed in a very difficult position and that the inequities in the pay policy had got through to the higher levels of the Government is in accordance with his departmental record; and what action he has taken to deal with those inequities;

(3) whether the statement in the published record of the telephone conversation dated 11th August 1977 between Mr. T. G. Andrews of John Lewis and an official of his Department that she accepted that the firm would defend itself, that it would have a very good case but that there was no question of its being hounded by the Price Commission, is in accordance with his departmental record of the discussion; and, if so, why discretionary action was taken against the firm;

(4) whether, in the published correspondence with John Lewis, the record of the telephone conversation between the director of personnel of the firm and a named official of his Department, dated 11th August 1977, accords with his own departmental record of the conversation; and, if not, whether he will place his Department's record with the remaining correspondence in the Library.

Mr. Harold Walker

My Department does not follow the practice of tape-recording telephone calls so that informal confidential conversations can later be used in evidence either for or against the speakers. I refer the hon. Member to the written correspondence placed in the Library by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the statement in the letter dated 1st August 1977, being part of the John Lewis correspondence, by an official of his Department to the director of personnel of the firm that the pay policy was of course a voluntary one, although the Government had expressed the hope that firms would feel able to comply, still represents the view of his Department; and whether guidance is given in this form now to firms inquiring by letter or telephone.

Mr. Harold Walker

Yes.