Because of his involvement over many years in Industrial Democracy in this country, Europe and USA Brian Smith, Past-President of the Institution of Production Engineers, was asked to set down how the Institution's views on the subject might be expressed. This he did, circulating it to several members for comment before producing the final version. To acquaint members with what has been submitted on their behalf and to promote discussion we give the full text below. Inevitably Brian Smith's own views as Board Chairman of PA Management Consultants have influenced this statement, and he has also submitted an addendum which as it has, perhaps, less relevance to the Institution of Production Engineers is not published here.