HC Deb 30 May 1940 vol 361 cc629-30
8. Mr. Thorne

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether he is aware that boiler-makers, riveters and other craftsmen have been discharged from the Stratford locomotive works; and what action he intends taking about the matter?

9. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether he is aware of the complaints that men in the London and North Eastern Railway shops at Stratford are not being fully employed or are likely to be dismissed; and whether he is taking action fully to utilise both men and plant at that place?

Mr. Assheton

I would ask my hon. Friends to await the reply to be given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to a Question on the same subject by the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves).

99. Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a considerable number of workmen are under notice at the Stratford section of the London and North Eastern Railway; and whether, in view of the request of the Government that workers shall remain at their posts as much as is possible, he will cause immediate inquiries to be made and ensure that the services of these men be retained and further orders provided for these works?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport (Mr. Montague)

I understand that 26 men are being liberated from the boiler shop at Stratford to enable them to take up work of national importance appropriate to their qualifications in outside industry. Ten of these men will take up their new work tomorrow, and the others will be released as soon as arrangements for them to commence their new work are completed.

Mr. Groves

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that 30 men received their notices to-day and, as far as they are aware, there is no further job for them to go to; and is that the new idea of liberation, that they should get the sack?

Mr. Montague

I should imagine that the notices were purely formal. My information is that they have other jobs to go to.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many of the men have had no such explanation of those notices?

Mr. Montague

That is the advantage of having the explanation now.