For the record (4)

April 8, 1981

Belgium's new prime minister, Marc Eyskens, presented his government to Parliament, pledging to defend the Belgian currency and stimulate private enterprise. He promised to cut taxes for industry and to open negotiations with unions and industry on ways to hold down soaring wage costs. But he avoided explicit reference to the country's controversial indexation system linking wages to prices. He said wage costs would be discussed at talks with unions and industry, and onl y then would the government take "necessary measures."