§ 22 and 23. Mr. ELLIS SMITHasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air (1) whether he is aware that the Airscrew Company, Limited, of Weybridge, have refused to meet the representatives of the National Council of Aircraft Workers; and will an inquiry into the complaints of the aircraft council be instituted by the Air Ministry;
(2) whether he is aware that the Air-screw Company, Limited, Weybridge, 1978 are not prepared to operate the recognised procedure of negotiations within the industry; and whether he will intervene in the matter to secure the payment of wages and observations of conditions in harmony with the terms of the Resolution of this House of 1909?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)I am informed that the firm in question did meet the representatives of the National Council of Aircraft Workers, and my Noble Friend sees no reason for instituting an inquiry as suggested. He has, in fact, received no complaints from any trade union that the wages and conditions of employment at the Airscrew Company's works are not in harmony with the terms of the Resolution of the House in 1909, or that the recognised procedure for negotiations within the industry is not being observed.
§ Mr. SMITHIs the right hon. Baronet aware that I have a letter in my hand from the Secretary of the National Council of Aircraft Workers, the body which caters for aircraft workers, informing me that this firm refuses to meet their representatives; and, in view of that fact, will he undertake to meet the representatives of the National Aircraft Council in order to have this grievance considered?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI am aware that the hon. Gentleman has a letter in his hand, and I am equally aware that at the Air Ministry we have received no complaint from any union on this subject.