§ 6. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Labour if he will issue a new statement on the need for the maximum consultations and explanations to be made in industry to all representative interests.
§ M. BevinIt is very desirable that changes in war requirements which affect production and re-allocation of labour should be clearly understood by those directly concerned and it has been the policy of the Government to encourage to the maximum joint consultation between managements and workpeople's representatives on these and other matters.
§ Mr. SmithIn view of the large switch over from the manufacture of one class of equipment to another, and in view of our changed strategical needs, will my right hon. Friend consider calling together all the Ministers involved in order that explanations can be made with a view to avoiding industrial unrest?
Mr. BevisI transferred 690,000 people last year, owing to the switch over of production, without a single dispute. I cannot imagine that the machinery is not working.
§ Mr. SmithThat is so, but there is a certain amount of unnecessary unrest, which could be avoided if full explanations were given. In view of the need to minimise that, will my right hon. Friend consider the suggestion that has been made?
§ Mr. BevinI certainly will consider the suggestion, but it would be more helpful to me if I could be told of works where it is not being done. Then I could deal with the matter.