HC Deb 08 February 1978 vol 943 cc589-90W
Mr. Lawson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the Written Answer given to the hon. Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 12th January, Official Report, column 790, how many firms are now being subjected to economic sanctions for having negotiated pay settlements above the voluntary 10 per cent., giving the names and addresses of each firm, and the Government discretionary action taken or threatened in each case;

(2) further to the Written Answer to the hon. Member for Ormskirk on 12th January, Official Report, column 790, how many firms have at one time or another been blacklisted for having negotiated pay settlements above the voluntary 10 per cent.; what are the names and addresses of the firms concerned; and which firms have subsequently renegotiated the pay settlements concerned as a result of Government discretionary action.

Mr. Joel Barnett

Discretionary action has been taken against 23 firms which have negotiated settlements outside the guidelines for this round. Discretionary action has not yet ceased against any of these firms. On the remainder of his Questions, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the right hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Fernyhough) on 7th February.—[Vol. 943, c. 1232–3.]

Mr. Warren

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer from what sources he obtains information about firms against which the Government take discretionary action to preclude them from tendering for Her Majesty's Government contracts and the form of notification given to these firms of their exclusion.

Mr. Joel Barnett

Information may reach the Government from a wide variety of sources, including informal contacts with negotiators, published information or queries raised by hon. Members or members of the public. Once the Government have decided that the procedures for discretionary action should be set in motion, a letter is sent to the firm concerned informing it.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now publish the names of all those companies currently being blacklisted by the Government for having exceeded the 10 per cent. pay guideline.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the right hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Fernyhough) on 7th February.—[Vol. 943, c. 1232–3.]