§ 49. Mr. Manderasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he will state the date on which he first approached the trade unions for co-operation in armament production; the results obtained up to the present time; and what further action is contemplated?
§ The Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip)I first wrote to the unions on this subject on 18th March. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 5th July. This substantially represents the present position.
§ Mr. ManderIs it not the case that the 39 trade unions concerned have recently expressed the view that no action is necessary; and, in view of the complete failure of the right hon. Gentleman's negotiations, will he be good enough to say what he proposes to do now?
§ Sir T. InskipThe resolution to which the hon. Gentleman refers was passed by one of these bodies—the Confederation of Engineering and Shipbuilding Trades—and I had observed that fact.
§ Mr. KirkwoodIs the Minister in a position to inform the House that, as far as the shipbuilding and engineering operatives are concerned, they are, up to the moment, giving him every satisfaction?
§ Sir T. InskipNot only the shipbuilding operatives, but all workmen engaged upon the rearmament programme, have worked magnificently.