§ Mr. Stottasked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he has taken to resolve the dispute between the Newspaper Society and provincial members of the National Union of Journalists; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe Newspaper Society and the National Union of Journalists are unable to agree on the conditions under which they should commence negotiations on a new pay agreement to replace an agreement which expires on 31st December 1973. My Department's officers are keeping in close touch with the situation, but their intervention is not likely to be helpful at this stage.