HC Deb 20 July 1944 vol 402 cc318-20
60. Mr. Mander

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give particulars of the work being done by works relations centres, the number formed, objects and success attained.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (Mr. Peat)

As the answer is rather long I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

There are seven works relations centres—in London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, Manchester, Nottingham and Cardiff. They have been established and are administered by the Ministry of Supply acting on behalf, and with the cooperation, of all the Production Departments and the Ministry of Information. The centres are in the charge of the regional works relations officers of the Ministry of Supply; but general control is exercised by the appropriate regional industrial publicity committee, on which all the Departments concerned, as well as local employers and trade unions are represented. The object of the centres is to encourage the wider adoption of the works relations system, whereby industrial workers are provided with a regular flow of information about the work on which they are employed, its importance in the chain of production, and the purposes for which the products of industry are used in the theatres of war or other spheres of essential national activity. The centres display examples of the various means of disseminating such information within industrial establishments, e.g., posters, films, production charts, factory exhibitions, action photographs and wall newspapers; and they provide guidance to managements as to the most effective way in which these and other methods (such as weapon demonstrations and talks by members of the fighting Services) can help to maintain output, explain production changes, reduce avoidable absenteeism and accidents, check waste of materials and fuel, and generally promote industrial efficiency. The centres are in the main advisory and do not modify in any way the direct responsibility of each Supply Department for the issue of publicity appropriate to factories engaged on its contracts. There is an increasing demand from factories for the service of advice and assistance available at the centres.