Senator DRAKE-BROCKMAN (WESTERN AUSTRALIA) -My question is addressed to the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Is it a fact that the Industries Assistance Commission has reversed tariff recommendations in cases in which it considered that there was even a slight chance of its original report adversely affecting employment? Was this change of attitude conveyed in a letter from the Chairman of the Commission to the Prime Minister? I ask whether the change of heart is a voluntary action of the Industries Assistance Commission, a response to a request by the Prime Minister or a concession to demands by the Australian Council of Trade Unions. Will the new approach of the Commission be extended to the relief of other problems, such as lack of incentives for increased productivity in primary industry?

Senator MURPHY -I understand that the Industries Assistance Commission has been asked, when making its report, to take into account the question of the effect of its recommendations on employment. As to the other matters of detail about which the honourable senator asked, I will refer the question to the Prime Minister for an answer.