§ 40. Colonel Wheatleyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is aware that there are a number of men employed at Hum, particularly in the component shed, who are only working for a few hours a week; and if he will look into the matter.
Mr. Ivor ThomasI assume the hon. and gallant Member refers to the staff 1212 employed at Hum by the British Overseas Airways Corporation for the service and maintenance of the Corporation's aircraft. This work is important and urgent, and it is necessary that the staff should be sufficient to deal expeditiously with it. Inevitable fluctuation in its flow, however, may result in short periods during which some of the staff are not fully occupied.
§ Colonel WheatleyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many of the men feet they are not doing much of a job and are being paid for work they are not doing; and that the regular system is that they are standing there doing nothing? Would the hon. Gentleman make further investigations if I give him the names of the men who make the complaints?
Mr. ThomasAs I think there may be some misunderstanding about what is in the hon. and gallant Gentleman's mind, I would very willingly do that. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman is referring to men who are kept standing by for servicing and maintaining aircraft, he will realise that they must be ready to deal with any emergency.