HC Deb 17 February 1970 vol 796 cc104-5W
Mr. Turton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures showing the annual rate of increase over the period 1960 to 1968 in hourly earnings and consumer prices in the European Free Trade Association countries, from information available from international sources.

Mr. Dell

I must emphasise that owing to differences in concept, scope methodology and presentation it cannot be assumed that figures for different countries are comparable.

The following are the average annual percentage (compound) increases:

Mr. Luard

I would refer my hon. Friend to Article 48 of the Treaty setting up the European Economic Community which lays down that the provisions of the Article relating to the free movement of workers shall not apply to employment in the public service.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, during his negotiations for Great Britain's entry into the Common Market, he will ensure that the question of free entry into Great Britain of labour forces from the countries of the Six will only be permitted by arrangement, and after agreement with the appropriate British trade unions.

Mr. Luard

I would refer to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said on 4th December in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely (Sir H. Legge-Bourke), when he made clear that the position we should take up in the negotiations was that set out in the statement of my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary to the Western European Union Council at The Hague in July, 1967 (Cmnd. 3345).—[Vol. 792, c. 1702.]