§ Q9. Mr. Cordleasked the Prime Minister whether in his future official meetings with the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress, he will initiate discussions about voluntary restraint of prices, profits and incomes with a view to promoting stabilsation of the economy.
§ The Prime MinisterIn my talks with the CBI and the TUC I have stressed the importance both of the CBI's voluntary price restraint scheme and of the need for the unions to make their contribution. At my recent meeting I invited both the TUC and the CBI to take part with the Government in further discussions on a number of urgent current issues affecting industrial relations and the national economy. The CBI has already accepted this invitation; and I very much hope that the TUC will do so shortly.
§ Q13. Mr. Redmondasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his most recent discussions with the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry concerning the operation of the Industrial Relations Act.
§ The Prime MinisterI had useful and ranging discussions with the TUC on 4th July and with the CBI yesterday. I made it clear to the TUC that there was no question of repealing the Act but that we were prepared to discuss with it after the Act had been fully operated for an appropriate period the ways in which it believed the Act was damaging either to its own interests or to the national interest.