HC Deb 26 July 1939 vol 350 cc1608-9

As amended(in the Select Committee and on re-committal) considered.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the Third time."

10.38 p.m.

Mr. Mander

We do not know what has been happening, as it has been quite impossible to hear during the last few minutes what stage we have reached. There are a few words that I desire to say on the Motion for the Third Reading of the Bill, if that is the position which we have now reached.

Mr. Speaker

I have put the Question, but the hon. Member can raise his point.

Mr. Mander

At the end of the Debate last night on the Third Schedule dealing with compensation to employés who may be discharged, the Secretary of State for Air was good enough to say that he would give careful consideration to certain representations which I had made arising out of the unanimous recommendation of the Select Committee. I can quite appreciate that it may well be that he has not yet had time to do that in the very short period which has elapsed since yesterday. But if he has, I shall be glad if he can give the House the result of his consideration, and, if not, perhaps he will indicate that it will be done in another place, or that when the Bill comes back from another place he will do so. I should be quite satisfied, and I think that all reasonable views could be met, if he were able to make a statement that in the event of any of these persons being, contrary to expectations, discharged, he will use all his influence and power with the directors of the new corporation to see that sympathetic treatment is given to these people, and that they will be given, in fact, more in the way of compensation than that to which they might be strictly entitled on a legal basis. Unless he is able to do that, he is not making any concession. I hoped that he would be able to say something upon the matter now.

10.40 p.m.

The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Kingsley Wood)

I do not think I can add anything to what I said to my hon. Friend last night, but if between now and the time when the Bill reaches another place he will consult me and supply me with any further information, I will have it considered and see what can be done. I think he will agree that I have endeavoured to meet the wishes of the Select Committee and the desires of the House on this Bill. I think the hon. Member is the only one with whom I had any difference in regard to this particular problem.

Mr. Mander

No. It was raised by another hon. Member.

Sir K. Wood

Perhaps the hon. Member will consult with me between now and the next stage. He knows that I shall be only too glad to confer with him.