§ Mr. JESSONasked the Minister of Labour, if, having regard to the fact that an increase in our annual production of wealth is essential before we can solve the problems of high prices, heavy taxation, unemployment, and labour unrest; and that increased production must be accompanied with either higher wages or lower prices to prevent gluts; and that before any increase in production can be obtained a better understanding between employés and employers and the thorough organisatoin of every industry must be established, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation for the compulsory establishment of industrial councils or trade parliaments in every industry in this country, upon which both sides are equally represented, such bodies to have power to enforce all agreements concerning wages and conditions of employment upon the whole of their respective industries, subject to representatives of the Government being allowed to serve upon those bodies to watch and safeguard the interests of the consumers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOn the question of compulsory enforcement of agreements, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my predecessor on 8th March, a copy of which I am sending him. The agreement of opinion between employers and workpeople on this subject, to which my right hon. Friend refers, does not yet exist. I should certainly like to see in every industry, either a trade board or a joint 1995W industrial council, or failing that some equivalent machinery for dealing, not merely with wages matters and subjects of disputes, but with all matters affecting the well-being of the industry. But apart from the fact that many industries, being comparatively unorganised, are unsuitable for joint industrial councils, I do not think that the element of compulsion which he advocates would tend to secure industrial peace.