HC Deb 20 May 1942 vol 380 cc235-6
57. Mr. A. Edwards

asked the Minister of Supply what use is being made of the C Plan which he has investigated?

Sir A. Duncan

A number of firms have instituted shift rota schemes on original lines, and the Ministry of Supply have encouraged this development. Particulars of several such schemes were given in a recent issue of the Engineering Bulletin of the Ministry of Labour, and particulars of the C Plan, among others, will be given in a further publication shortly.

Mr. Edwards

Is it not remarkable that, although this plan has been before the Department for several months and has been operated for a year or two, the Minister has not yet recommended it to other firms, in spite of the fact that it has increased production by as much as 40 per cent. in some cases?

Sir A. Duncan

Many firms have schemes of this kind in operation, but the best and most efficient work is done if you keep at it. It would have been wrong, in our judgment, to include a description of all the schemes in the first bulletin. We propose to include Plan C, which came in later than the others, in the next bulletin.

Mr. Edwards

Is it not a fact that at least two months have elapsed since the Minister sent down to investigate this plan a representative who expressed himself as very highly impressed with it, and that nothing has since been done?

Sir A. Duncan

I do not agree that nothing has been done. Discussions have taken place with the Regional representative. I am speaking of a fuller publication.