asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the instructions minuted to the Department of Industry and Commerce in 1947 in relation to the drafting of a stand-still order on wages and salaries, and (b) the date on which such instructions were issued, and (c) if he is prepared to lay on the table of the House a white paper containing the stand-still order drafted in accordance with such instructions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Stand-still Order on Wages and Salaries.
The instructions given departmentally by the then Minister for Industry and Commerce on 16th October, 1947, were that, on the assumption that discussions with the Trade Union Congresses would not result in any agreement on the stabilisation of wage rates and that legislation would be required, immediate steps should be taken to prepare a draft Bill. The instructions outlined the methods that should be adopted for stabilisation, including the withdrawal in certain circumstances of the protection of the Trade Disputes Act and the imposition of severe penalties; made provision for the exemption of certain classes of workers, and indicated that the duration of the Bill should be two years.
I do not consider that the issue of a White Paper as proposed in the last part of the question would be appropriate.