HC Deb 26 April 1944 vol 399 cc754-5
19. Mr. Mainwaring

asked the Secretary of State for Air why his Department has decided to abandon the policy of direct labour upon all R.A.F. stations, and handed over responsibility with regard to repairs and maintenance to private contractors; what number of men are at present employed on this work; to what firms contracts for the future have been allocated; and the stations affected throughout the country.

Captain Balfour

There has been no change of policy, and both direct labour and private contractors' labour are being employed on repair and maintenance at R.A.F. stations, in varying proportions. About 4,500 men are employed by the Air Ministry on building maintenance and repair at R.A.F. stations, and some 8,500 by contractors. Contracts have been le: to some 250 firms, covering all stations in this country with a few exceptions.

Mr. Mainwaring

Am I to understand that there is no change in policy with regard to the employment of men at the aerodromes West of the Severn? Is it now stated that there are no private contractors taking over what hitherto has been undertaken by the Ministry itself?

Captain Balfour

No, Sir, there has been no change of policy with regard to the employment of labour, both direct and indirect. We vary the proportion of men employed, direct and indirect, because we have a fixed allocation from the Ministry of Labour of men we are allowed to employ directly. Therefore, if we require certain specific trades of men, beyond our fixed allocation of labour, we let out a contract for maintenance.

Mr. Mainwaring

That is evasion. Is it not a fact that quite a large number of stations West of the Severn, which hitherto have been run directly by the Ministry, are now to be transferred to private undertakings?

Captain Balfour

No, Sir. I cannot tell the hon. Member about individual stations, but if he will let me have particulars of any individual stations, I will look into them. I want to make it clear that there is no change of policy with regard to direct and indirect labour, but we vary our proportions, in accordance with the allocation of labour made to us by the Ministry.

Sir H. Williams

Is it not the case that direct labour is more extravagant?