asked the Minister of Labour by how much average wages have increased during the past 12 months, as compared with the previous 12 months, and by how much the intervals between wage settlements have been reduced during the same period as compared with the previous year.

During the 12 months ended 31st October, 1965, the index of weekly rates of wages increased by 4·6 per cent. compared with 5·3 per cent. in the previous 12 months. The comparable figures for the hourly wage rates index, which also reflects reductions in normal hours of work, are 7·3 per cent. and 5·8 per cent. The average interval between increases resulting from settlements of wages and conditions of employment was reduced from 14½ months to 10 months.

I am bound to say that those figures are rather better than I expected, and I am very glad that that should be so. However, they are not perfect, and I would ask the hon. Gentlemon how the Government propose to make the incomes policy more effective in future and if, as a first step to that end, it would not be a good idea to make further attempts to secure the active co-operation of the Ministry of Technology and the Transport and General Workers' Union.

I think that the hon. Gentleman makes a mistake in underestimating the degree of success with which the incomes policy has been met. From the figures that I have read out, had it not been for our being caught up in a cycle of hours reductions, the wage advance in weekly terms would have been very little removed from the norm.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made by the Advisory Panel of the Senior Medical Inspector of Factories on bladder cancer, and if he will make a statement.

The Senior Medical Inspector's Advisory Panel on Occupational Cancer of the Renal Tract provides him with expert knowledge and advice on a continuing basis. I understand that it has been of great assistance to him, particularly in connection with a long-term survey which the Department is preparing to carry out in the rubber and cable-making industries to determine whether there is still an unidentified cancer hazard now that the use of the known carcinogens has been discontinued.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that: there is great disappointment that the Medical Research Council has declined to carry out a comprehensive survey of this very worrying subject, not only in the cable and rubber industries but also in the dyestuffs industry and among workers employed on cured rubber, where the dangers of antioxidants are thought to be responsible for bladder cancer? Is he aware that this delay is very disappointing, and that we want urgent action on it?

We are fully seized of the urgency of the matter, and we are aware of the disappointment that my hon. Friend has expressed, but I would assure her that my staff are doing all that it can and as quickly as it can.

asked the Minister of Labour when he expects to receive the report of the expert committee set up to review the evidence on the medical problems of asbestos exposure, and what action is being taken to screen all workers and contacts at risk.

The Advisory Panel on the Medical Problems of Occupational Exposure to Asbestos which the Senior Medical Inspector has set up to advise and assist him, has made a useful start and is continuing its studies of these difficult problems. As regards the second part of the question, it has been decided to revise the existing Asbestos Industry Regulations, and preliminary work has begun. Careful consideration is being given in this connection to the inclusion of requirements for the medical screening of employees.

Can my hon. Friend give any idea when these various studies are going to come to fruition and we shall have a positive scheme for dealing with this recognised danger?

I recognise and sympathise with my hon. Friend's concern in this matter, but I think she will appreciate that it raises a rather wider and in some respects a more serious issue, and there are some very difficult medical and technical problems to be resolved.

asked the Minister of Labour how many vacancies in the United States aircraft industry have officially been registered with employment exchanges in England and Wales since October 1964.

None, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that applicants from the aircraft industry at employment exchanges have been advised of employment opportunities in the Amerian aircraft industry? How does the right hon. Gentleman square that with his Government's expressed desire to see these men employed elsewhere in the United Kingdom industry?

The Question that I was asked was how many vacancies in the United States aircraft industry have officially been registered with employment exchanges in England and Wales. I repeat, the answer is "None". I understand that last October indications were given to employment exchanges of vacancies in the American aircraft industry. I think that 13 British engineers known to be interested in work overseas were told the firms' interest, but none took up employment with them.

asked the Minister of Labour what consideration he has given to setting up an early warning system to give him advice on possible redundancies arising from take-over bids.

The Employment Service, which is constantly on the watch, has had considerable success in persuading employers to give advance warning of all kinds of redundancies; and the Redundancy Payments Act, which comes into force today will require advance notice in cases where payments under the Act are involved.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that Answer, which represents a tremendous advance on anything done in the past, may I ask him to bear in mind that we get cases in Scotland of firms taking over industrial units and transferring the employment to the Midlands and the South? Will he use his good offices when such take-overs occur to see that employment is concentrated in Scotland rather than in the South?

Yes, indeed. My hon. Friend knows that this would be the intention of the Government. However, on the question of redundancy payments, whether it be a take-over bid or anything else, the provisions of the Act would operate.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will undertake a survey of possible redundancies from pit closures in Scotland, in order to take steps to provide facilities for retraining and re-employment in new industries.

I have already made a preliminary review and I shall continue to watch the situation closely in consultation with the other Ministers concerned. In addition, the Scottish Economic Planning Council is actively examining the position.

Would my right hon. Friend step up the creation of training centres in Scotland so that men who are forcibly dismissed from the pits, especially disabled men, may be retrained for employment in the new expanding industries which will be coming to Scotland as a result of the present Government's policies for Scotland?

Yes, indeed. That is very much in the mind of the Government. By the end of the coming year the training places in Scotland at Government training centres will be 14 per cent. of the total places throughout the country.

asked the Minister of Labour what discussions he has had with employers and trade union leaders in the printing industry on setting up an industrial training board in that industry.

My programme for setting up industrial training boards has been approved by the Central Training Council and does not provide for early action on the printing industry. I have not, therefore, entered into detailed discussions on this subject with the organisations concerned.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that technical teachers engaged in the industry whom I met recently are very anxious that steps should be taken in this direction?

We are indeed concerned about the printing industry, but, as my hon. Friend knows, we must deal with this matter in terms of priority; and we are moving at a very rapid pace indeed.

Would the Minister agree that the training boards can play a very useful part in eliminating restrictive practices as between unions—demarcation difficulties, for example—and would he not also agree that this is an industry in which it is particularly important to reduce the demarcation difficulties as quickly as possible, which is a good reason for making every haste in this matter?

That point confirms my thoughts on this matter and I therefore agree with the hon. and learned Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the latest available figures of unemployed persons in the employment exchange areas of Camelford, Bude, Launceston, Wade-bridge, and Newquay; and what are their age groups.

On 8th November, 132, 178, 83, 211 and 424 respectively. An age breakdown is not available for November. The latest analysis is for July. As this information consists of a table of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that most of the redundancies occur in the middle-age and younger-age groups, hence the urgent necessity to bring industry to these areas as quickly as possible? Is he aware that we are in great need in this part of Cornwall of additional industry so that the people generally, particularly those in these age groups, may be employed

asked the Minister of Labour which industries Her Majesty's Inspector of Factories has set up working parties to review the codes and tabulate the causes of accidents and whether he will make a statement.

No such working parties have been set up. The Chief Inspector of Factories has recently set up special accident inquiries into selected factories and an inquiry into construction sites is about to begin.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there are many safety organisations which are not satisfied that the right causes are being recorded? Would he not agree that some of the worst causes are carelessness and the failure to use protective equipment and protective clothing?

I agree that the latter are some of the important causes of accidents.

asked the Minister of Labour what information he has about the number and percentage of voluntary absenteeism in industry, not due to sickness or industrial injury, in each of the past four months; and whether he is satisfied with the detail of the information available to his Department.

I do not have the information for which the hon. Member asks.

We will certainly give close consideration to those points.

Would the Minister not agree that absenteeism of this type is one of the worst difficulties confronting many industries at present? Would it not now be worth while making inquiries to discover the extent to which absenteeism is voluntary, particularly, for example, since one industry is today declaring the figure to be 7 per cent.?

I agree that absenteeism is deplorable. It is, however, equally true that we do not have the information and that many employers do not inform us of the different forms of absenteeism.

Has my right hon. Friend noticed the number of Questions asked so far today and the amount of absenteeism on the Opposition benches?

asked the Minister of Labour if he will introduce an industrial rehabilitation unit for retraining accident victims to the north-east of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

This has been carefully considered, but I find that the number of people from the north-east of Scotland requiring industrial rehabilitation is insufficient to justify a unit there. They can and do go to the unit at Grantor, near Edinburgh, which has a residential hostel attached, and can usually arrange early admission for accident victims.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that it is due to the policy of the previous Government that the north-east of Scotland is well on the way to becoming an important industrial centre? Is he aware that the present unit of rehabilitation for men disabled through injury is a long distance from the area, which means that a number of the men concerned do not have a chance to travel the necessary distance to take advantage of the scheme? Is he, therefore, aware of the very real need to reconsider this matter and to establish a unit of this kind in the north-east of Scotland?

All our experience shows that only a small proportion of people discharged from hospital, whether near or far from the I.R.U., are both willing and suitable for a course of industrial rehabilitation.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to introduce better industrial training as advocated in the National Plan.

I am pressing ahead with the establishment of further industrial training boards as well as with the expansion of Government training centres. I am also making grants directly and through the training boards towards the cost of courses for training officers and I am proposing to expand the facilities for training instructors.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him to assure the House that he is getting the fullest co-operation from management and unions in this matter?

I think that I can give that assurance to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps his Department is taking to put new zip into British industry as advocated in the National Plan.

The National Plan contains a check list of action required. My Department is getting on with all those matters for which I have a responsibility.

Is the Minister aware that the phraseology of this Question is taken from the National. Plan, but that it is not the case that all of British industry needs new zip being put into it? However, since this can be said of much of industry, particularly the printing industry, has the right hon. Gentleman any plans for putting in that zip?

I have plenty of plans all right. I think that at the back of the hon. Gentleman's mind are many of the restrictive practices which are alleged to exist in many industries. The removal of then, from both the employers' side and dm workers' side, is a matter which will take some time.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in the development of group apprenticeship training facilities between firms.

There are some 3,000 apprentices from 850 firms participating in group apprenticeship schemes, of which there are about 70 now running. During 1965, this Ministry has offered grants towards the development costs of eleven new schemes.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that proposals for this kind of thing are going ahead sufficiently quickly? Has he proposals to improve progress?

I am hoping that the industrial training boards will help in handling this very desirable process in industries where there is a large number of small and medium-sized firms.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made towards getting a reduction in the number of years required for apprenticeship training.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by my hon. Friend the former Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry to similar Questions on 14th June last. Since then, further sections of the construction industry have reduced the period of apprenticeship, and the electricity supply industry has also recommended a reduction.

Would not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the progressive state of the construction industry is an example to other industries, and will he do his best to see that those other industries emulate the construction industry?

Yes, Sir. I will certainly look at that point.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that it is as important, or even more important, to improve the quality of apprenticeship training as to diminish the number of years to be served?

My hon. Friend can take it that our Ministry will pay very close regard to that factor.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress he has made in the last 12 months in arranging that school leavers may start their apprenticeships after the age of 16; and what official discussions he has had with trade unions on the subject.

In most industries employing large numbers of apprentices, provision is made for entry to apprenticeship after the age of 16. It is one of the responsibilities of the industrial training boards to make recommendations with regard to the age of entry into training and where it is necessary I shall expect them to take a progressive line on this subject.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say how many unions persist in this out-of-date practice? What action will he take to correct it?

I do not think there are many unions which persist in this practice. There is a common impression that 16 is the maximum age at which an apprenticeship can be started, but that is not so. I should like the hon. Member to appreciate—no doubt he does—that this is rather dependent on agreements between employers and trade unions. Some agreements fix no upper age limit, some have 16 or 18 as the upper age limit and most of those which fix an upper age Limit make some agreement for exceptions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that his powers of conciliation are now sufficient and effective; and if he will make a statement.

This question is discussed in the evidence of the Ministry of Labour to the Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employers' Associations. I am, of course, giving careful thought to this and related problems.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, but is he satisfied that in future the employing side will not be put in a position where it cannot make an alternative offer, and so make abortive his efforts for conciliation?

I am very well aware of the difficulties that are inherent in the attempt of any party to introduce an incomes policy. That is why I am giving careful thought to this and related problems.

asked the Minister of Labour if he proposes that Her Majesty's Government should accept the principle of Government responsibility for the provision of an occupational hygiene service.

The Government already have a responsibility in this matter; and H.M. Factory Inspectorate do in fact undertake industrial hygiene work. As I told the right hon. Member for Bridlington (Mr. Wood) on 29th November, I am, in conjunction with my Industrial Health Advisory Committee, reviewing policy on the provision of industrial hygiene services. The nature and extent of the Government's contribution in the future must be determined in the light of the results of the current survey to establish the size of the need for such services. These results are expected in the spring.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but would he not agree that the 20 million working days lost annually through industrial ill-health warrant a greater degree of urgency? In the national interest, will he recommend the expansion of the Factory Inspectorate in order to provide a full occupational hygiene service for industry?

I understand the nature of the problem in which my hon. Friend is very interested, but I would still ask her to await the survey results which we expect in the spring, before coming to any conclusions.

Has the Minister any more news from the City of London health authorities, who are trying to arrange an occupational health service for people working in the City? It was to have started about two years ago. Does the Minister know whether it has come to a grinding halt, or has he any news on the subject?

I have no information, but I will certainly look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour how many working days there are in the average year; how many were lost due to strikes of all kinds in the most recent year; and what percentage this is of the total.

It is estimated that there were about 5,500 million working days in the United Kingdom in 1964. The number of days lost in 1964 through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes was about 2,277,000: this figure is less than 0·05 per cent. of the total number of working days.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that some strikes can be particularly harmful to the economy but that his reply indicates that relatively little time is lost through strikes compared with the amount of time lost from industrial injury and sickness where the figures are over 100 times as great?

I would certainly agree that the figures are low, but I would also say that any interruption of any sort in the production line in the present state of the economy is to be deplored.

Would the Minister agree that loss of time due to illness often cannot be avoided, but that days lost by strikes can be avoided? Is not this figure far too high? Will he say what is the comparable figure in 1964?

In 1964—I have already quoted this figure—2,277,000 days were lost. I would also remind the House that in 1962 5¾ million days were lost, and 8½ million in 1957. We are not doing so badly.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that during the part of the year that has so far elapsed there has been an increase in the figures on last year? Will he not also agree that one cannot measure the effect of strikes simply by counting the days lost, that they represent a slowing-down of the industrial machine and that it is important and of the highest priority that the Government should press on with reducing losses of all kinds arising from industrial disputes?

The hon. and learned Gentleman is right in saying that some strikes are more harmful than others. Some strikes involving only a few men do terrible damage. We ought to try to eliminate them as far as possible. On the question of a comparison of last year with this, 2,697,000 working days were lost from January to October, 1965, and 2,051,000 working days were lost from January to October, 1964. Therefore, the position is worse, but it is infinitely better than it was a couple of years ago, so I do not see any purpose at all in these comparisons of one year with another. They get us nowhere.

Is my right hon. Friend in a position to indicate the percentage comparison with other major industrial countries?

Not without notice, but I am quite sure that the figures will bear favourable comparison.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will introduce legislation to prevent the victimisation of individual trades unionists by their unions or their fellow members.

No, Sir. The law affecting the activities of trade unions and employers' associations is one of the subjects being considered by the Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employers' Associations.

Would the Minister agree that the case of which I have sent him some particulars, in which Mr. Mike Reardon has been victimised and prevented from working by his colleagues in the Transport and General Workers' Union for the past nine months or more, is a glaring example of the need for such legislation? Whilst the Royal Commission is coming to its conclusions, will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the general secretary of the union to see that Mr. Reardon is re-employed immediately?

I do not want to pursue that case. The hon. Gentleman knows all about it. There were faults on both sides. I still say that it is something that ought not to have happened, but there were faults on both sides, as the inquiry found.

Will my right hon. Friend make it quite clear that he does not accept this demand for legislation? Further, whilst we are investigating problems like this, will he observe the difficulty that certain workpeople find as the result of a sort of black list operated by the employers?

I think that my hon. Friend and I would be in a major degree of agreement on the question of legislation. Many hon. Members, and many people outside the House, talk of legislation as though it could cure the problem; industrialists on the other side of the House know that it could not. One can only have legislation that can be enforced, and I doubt whether in this field of industrial relations—and hon. Members opposite know this—we can ever have a state in which legislation will be effective.

asked the Minister of Labour how many trades disputes he has referred to arbitration under Section 2 of the Industrial Courts Act, 1919 in the last year to the most convenient date.

There were 68 in the year ended 30th November, 1965.

I thank the Minister for that reply. He is obviously aware that arbitration is preferable to strike action, but is he satisfied that the same reasonably happy position will apply—or what will be the position—if an arbitration de- cision is reached with which the Prices and Incomes Board disagrees? Will the arbitration decision be upheld, and remain the decision, regardless of what the Board decides?

The hon. Member should really not draw me into a much wider argument than his Question justifies.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he proposes to take to strengthen the Youth Employment Service in its effort to obtain greater training skills for young people leaving school.

I am at present considering the future development of the Youth Employment Service in the light of the Report I have received from a working party of the National Youth Employment Council. I hope to make a statement on the Report shortly.

Does the Minister think that the £3¾ million which we spend on this vital service is enough bearing in mind that we shall be wasting the vast sums of money spent on education unless we are sure that young people put their skills to the best possible use when they leave school?

I am in full agreement with the hon. Member on the great importance of this matter. I am hoping that this House in the not-too-distant future, subject to what my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House has to say, will have an opportunity of having a good debate on the Working Party's Report, which I think is first-class.

Is the Minister aware that in some areas there is great difficulty about young people going to training classes because of lack of transport? Will he give consideration to providing local authorities with funds in this respect, particularly in isolated areas?

If my memory serves me aright, and speaking off the cuff, I think that that point is made in the Report.

While I welcome the statement which the Minister has made, may I ask if he will bear in mind the importance of giving information to young people about the range of skills available?

Yes, indeed. That is why I want to push ahead as much as possible with the Youth Employment Service.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made with the draft orders regulating the manufacture and import of carcinogenic substances; and whether he will make a statement.

A revised draft of the Carcinogenic Substances Regulations was circulated to interested parties for comment in September. The replies are due by the end of this month. Those so far received are generally favourable.

Will my right hon. Friend tell the House something about the causes of delay in completing these Orders? If my memory is correct, this goes back to August, 1964, when the preliminary draft was first prepared. Can he say whether these Orders when issued will include alpha-naphthylamine in its pure as well as its impure form?

I am afraid I cannot answer the latter part of my hon. Friend's question. On the question about progress being slow in this matter, I have wondered myself. Consultations are taking place and have taken place with the various medical interests, the manufacturing interests and the trade unions, and we have found that they have had to allow reasonable time to consider our proposals.

asked the Minister of Labour how many staff are employed by Her Majesty's Inspector of Factories at the present time; how this compares with each of the five previous years; and how many vacancies there are to make up establishment.

On 1st December, 1965 there were 482 H.M. Inspectors of Factories in post against an authorised cadre of 517 posts.

Is the Minister satisfied with those figures? Can he tell the House if there is difficulty in increasing the numbers to get them up to establishment?

We are doing all we can without reducing the standards—which I am sure the hon. and gallant Member would not like to see take place—to bring the number in post up to the authorised establishment. This we should pursue. The reason we have not reached the cadre, as he probably knows, is that on several occasions in the last several years the cadre has been increased to meet the rising responsibilities of the Inspectorate.

asked the Minister of Labour what studies he has made of the extent to which machines now in use in British manufacturing industry are being overmanned; what comparative studies he has made with industry in the United States of America; and what discussions he has had in this country with unions and management in order to secure the release for more productive employment of the manpower locked up in this way.

I have not made detailed studies of the kind suggested by the hon. Member. This is only one aspect of the much wider question of the more effective use of manpower which I am continuing to discuss with both management and unions through my National Joint Advisory Council and in other ways.

Does that Answer mean that the right hon. Gentleman has no factual information on which to judge the extent to which the proposition framed in my Question may obtain now? Will he look into this position as a matter of some urgency, for would he not agree that many authorities think that far too many people are unnecessarily manning the new machines coming into industry and that they could be valuable assets to labour in those areas which at present are short of labour?

I agree with the hon. Member that there is over-manning in certain areas of industry today. Statistical information on it is very difficult to come by, as the Americans themselves have found, because sometimes there is a reluctance to face the facts of life. The encouragement which I am trying to give as a priority is at workshop floor level so that by joint efforts trade unions and management can come to terms on this problem.

asked the Minister of Labour what representations he has received from the National Union of Bank Employees about a five-day week for bank employees.

None, Sir.

If the Minister receives any representations about the cancelling of Saturday working in banks, while remembering the desirability of a five-day working week for bank employees, will he consider the possibility of Monday closing and the staggering of banking hours to allow banks to be open for shopkeepers and others who wish to have them open on Saturdays?

I have received no representations. I think we had better wait until I do.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the increase in places available in Government training centres over the last three years; and whether there are at present more applications than there are vacant places.

The places in G.T.Cs. have been increased by 3,155 since December 1962. There are more persons awaiting admission to training than there are vacant places in Government training centres.

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, but he has not said whether the waiting list is very substantial or not. I hope he will realise the very strong support which industry wishes to give to people who have been to these training centres, particularly as concerns Scotland.

We shall certainly give the matter very close attention.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will hold an inquiry into the recent trade dispute at Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering following the inability of four union members to produce their union cards on demand.

This dispute occurred on 18th November and the stoppage of work lasted for one day. I do not think any useful purpose would be served in holding an inquiry.

Is the Minister aware that as a result of four trade union members not being able to produce their cards, 120 men went on strike for the rest of that day? Does he not agree that at a time when Fairfields are fighting for their very existence and are in receipt of £1 million of the taxpayers' money, this is a shocking example of irresponsibility by a small group of workers? Will he warn them that any repetition of this sort of action will result in the withdrawal of Government financial support?

I agree immediately with the hon. Member that this stoppage should never have occurred, and I am reinforced in the view by the Boilermakers' Union themselves. In the Question I am asked whether I would institute a court of inquiry. As the shop steward concerned has left his employment in this yard, I do not think that a court of inquiry is necessary.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the shop steward concerned in this incident left the employment of Fairfields immediately because of the fact that every shop steward in Fairfields condemned his action? Is he also aware that the incident lasted for half a day? Does not the supplementary question show that the only purpose of the Question is to create malice and to do harm to the jobs of 5,000 workpeople at Fairfields?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied with the rehabilitation and retraining arrangements for those who have been mentally ill; and if he will make a statement.

The Ministry's arrangements for industrial rehabilitation of the disabled have recently been under review and particular attention has been paid to the needs of the mentally ill. My right hon. Friend will consider possible changes in the light of this review.

I am much obliged to the hon. Member for that helpful Answer. Will he bear in mind in the review that those who know most about mental health feel that there are very big gaps in the rehabilitation and retraining arrangements?

I find myself in substantial agreement with the hon. Member.

Does the Minister appreciate that the Answer which he has given is a great encouragement to those working in this field? When he makes his review will he direct his attention to the siting of the training centres, with particular reference to the expense involved in some cases in having them in very expensive industrial areas?

Yes. I will certainly give close attention to that question.