HC Deb 30 May 1938 vol 336 cc1644-5
34. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Minister of Labour how many Germans are employed by the Plessey Company, Limited, Ilford, Essex, at their Cardiff works; what particular process these Germans are working at that could not be performed by British workmen; and how many Government contracts for the production of shells have been given to this firm?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Lennox-Boyd)

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the works of Machine Products, Limited, of Cardiff, which is a subsidiary of the Plessey Company, Limited. No permits have been granted for the employment of foreign nationals by Machine Products, Limited. I am informed, however, that machinery of foreign manufacture has been obtained from another company, and that a foreign national is temporarily engaged in supervising the installation and demonstrating the working of the machines. I have no information as to the last part of the question.

Mr. Williams

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are Germans working in that particular factory who are not trained, and, therefore, cannot train anyone else, who know little or nothing at all of the business; that the managing director of the firm is a German; and can he say why English artisans have been dismissed by the managing director because the English-trained artisan told the Germans, who are untrained, that they did not know anything about the business?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I think that the hon. Gentleman has been misinformed. There are no foreign nationals employed there at all, except one engaged in supervising the erection of a machine.

Mr. Williams

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House how long it is since the Germans to whom I refer were dismissed, seeing that the artisan to whom I referred as an English artisan was dismissed himself only about three weeks ago, leaving several Germans working there?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am not aware that there have been any foreigners recently dismissed. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down another question?

Mr. Williams

Will not the hon. Gentleman make the inquiries he ought to have made in consequence of my question? I have the information, and the hon. Gentleman ought to have the information.