Wilson offers ‘contract’

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33463, 19 February 1974, Page 13

Wilson offers ‘contract’

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter —Copyright) LONDON, February 18. Britain’s General Election campaign entered its second week today as the two major political parties—Conservative and Labour —shaped up for a fresh confrontation on who can best control Britain’s soaring inflation. The Labour Party leader, Mr Harold Wilson, last night offered the country’s 40 million voters a new “social contract” — a tripartite agreement of Government, unions and industry — which he said w’ould transform Britain’s present bleak economic and industrial outlook.

Leaders of Britain’s trade unions have already agreed to the voluntary arrangement, which would resolve industrial disputes and beat rising prices, he said. After a day-long meeting of Conservative Party chiefs to plan the final strategy for the February 28 election, the Prime Minister (Mr Edward Heath) made it clear that the fight against inflation would be a dominant election issue.

run-off, the opinion polls also show the minority Liberal Party increasing its support with a solid 17 per cent of the vote. This could leave it holding the balance with a bloc of up to 50 seats when the new Parliament assembles on March 6.

As party leaders intensified their campaigns, the coalminers’ demand for pay rises beyond . the Government’s limit—which caused the election—was being submitted to the Government Pay Board. The board will begin investigating pay relativities today to try to find a formula for a settlement beyond the present pay code, which would be acceptable to the miners.

“The public realises more and more that the main issue is whether they are going to have a strong Government to deal with the problem of inflation ... on a firm and fair basis through a vigorous control of prices and fair and orderly arrangement for incomes,” he told reporters. With 10 days to go before the polling booths open, pollsters are giving Mr Heath’s Conservative Party a marginal lead over Labour. A Louis Harris poll out today said that the Conservative lead—now 5.5 per cent —was halved in less than a week. But in the neck-and-neck

Miners’ leaders plan to appeal for wage increases well above the 7 per cent allowed under the Government’s anti-inflationary policy and expect a substantial new offer in return, union sources said. The board is expected to complete its investigations I before the election.