§ 55. Mr. Tinkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that discontent exists at some of the Royal Ordnance factories because of proper facilities not being afforded to workers to have grievances dealt with, and that it would be helpful if he would make known what machinery can be used to take such complaints to the proper quarter?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanNo, Sir. The rule book of the Royal Ordnance factories, of which a copy is issued to 989 each entrant, makes clear the right of every worker to represent any grievance to his superior officers. In addition, works committees composed of representatives of the managements and trade unions, upon which complaints may be ventilated, exist or are in process of formation at many of the Royal Ordnance factories, and I am only too anxious to facilitate the setting up of similar committees where they do not already exist. A Ministry of Supply Joint Industrial Council, on which the principal trade unions are represented, has been set up under my chairmanship to deal with general questions affecting the workpeople at the Royal Ordnance factories and other Ministry of Supply industrial establishments.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithWill the Parliamentary Secretary deal with this matter as one of urgency, because, experience has shown that where works councils have been set up all interests are able to pool their experience and ideas and make suggestions with a view to getting maximum production?
§ Mr. MacmillanI will certainly do so. My hon. Friend's purpose and mine are exactly similar.
§ Mr. MacmillanNo, Sir; the council will be under the Whitley Council or Joint Industrial Council. Things which are dealt with by a Joint Industrial Council are laid down from long experience and it does not deal with actual rates of payment.