89. Mr. Norman Smithasked the Minister of Supply what is the actual personnel at the royal ordnance factory, Nottingham; what was the maximum personnel during the late war; and what is the optimum personnel having regard to plant and machinery available at the factory.
§ Mr. LeonardThe numbers are 2,520 on day shift, 6,580 on two shifts and 3,000 on day shift, respectively.
90. Mr. Norman Smithasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that there is unrest at the royal ordnance factory, Nottingham, because some men get the incentive bonus and others engaged on comparable work do not get it; and what action does he propose to take in the matter.
§ Mr. LeonardMy hon. Friend probably has in mind the associated bonus payable to certain employees. This bonus is payable only to men employed in certain trades working in association with men employed on piece work. Any revision of these arrangements would be a matter for negotiation with the trade unions concerned.
Mr. SmithHow can my hon. friend justify a scheme in which the bonus is withheld from labourers who take materials from outside the factory into store, and is paid to the labourers who take the same materials from the store to the bench or machine? Is he aware that this is causing discontent and does he not 1803 realise that trade union machinery is not always necessarily functioning to perfection?
§ Mr. LeonardThe position will be contained in the reply which my hon. Friend will receive from my right hon. Friend the Minister in answer to a letter already received from him.