§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will issue a direction to the British National Oil Corporation that no employment black list, official or unofficial, should be used to prevent current employees of the British National Oil Corporation who wish to leave the British National Oil Corporation and go to another oil, or other, company, from doing so; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BennI am advised that no such black list has ever existed: suggestions to the contrary are grossly misleading and damaging to BNOC's reputation as an employer.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has issued any instruction to the British National Oil Corporation to black list or boycott or otherwise take action in any commercial relationship with companies that are in breach of the Government's 5 per cent. guideline; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BennThe Prime Minister told the House on 14th December that the Government would no longer use discretionary powers in relation to the private sector as a measure to counter inflation where settlements breach the Government's pay policy. BNOC has been advised accordingly.