42. Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will make a statement on labour relations in the motor industry.
§ Mrs. CastleIn 1969 there were 265 stoppages of work and 1.6 million work-376W ing days lost in the motor industry. The provisional figures for January this year are 38 stoppages and 76,000 working days lost. There is general agreement on the need to improve procedures and pay structures in the industry, and the joint council recently set up by the two sides of the industry has announced that it will be considering these two areas and will also be available to investigate serious disputes. The reform of the procedure operating in federated companies is already under discussion between the two sides of the engineering industry.