§ 49. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Labour why over 160 men have been dismissed from Tullo's factory, Aberdeen; and what steps he is taking to find them immediate employment in that city.
§ Mr. IsaacsI understand that some 160 men have recently been discharged by this firm on account of redundancy. Thirty-two of them have now been found other work, and my local officers are continuing their efforts to find work for the remainder.
§ Mr. HughesIs my right hon. Friend aware that this is a particularly well-equipped factory producing machinery which is badly needed for the agricultural industry; and that in dismissing these men and not getting them further employment he is not only depriving them and their families of sustenance, but is depriving the agricultural industry of machinery which it badly required?
§ Mr. IsaacsMy hon. and learned Friend says, "He is dismissing these men" and "He is depriving them." I did not dismiss the men, and I am not depriving them. If this is such a wonderfully equipped factory, how is it that they are not able to obtain the orders to keep their men in work?
§ Mr. BaldwinWill the Minister make inquiries to see whether there is no bing in the area around Aberdeen which could be levelled at a cost of £3,000 an acre?
§ Mr. HughesMy right hon. Friend asked me a question. Is he aware that the products of this factory are badly needed, and that therefore these men should be re-employed? Will he take steps to see that they are?
§ Mr. IsaacsThat may be, but I cannot make the firm's employment. The firm have not got the orders, and I do not supply the orders.
§ 50. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Labour if he will investigate and report on the grave unemployment which now exists in the engineering trade in the City of Aberdeen; and what immediate steps he is taking to remove it.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe unemployment in the engineering trade is mainly confined to workers recently discharged by a local factory. A number of new factories and extensions have been approved for Aberdeen, which will provide additional employment for a considerable number of workers in various industries.
§ Mr. HughesWill my right hon. Friend inquire into the situation with a view to finding employment for these skilled workers whose work is badly needed by the community?
§ Mr. IsaacsWe have already conducted all those inquiries, and have found jobs for 32 of them.
§ Mr. ScollanCould the Minister tell the House the point of sacking men and putting them out of an existing factory, and then building new factories to induce them to go into?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe point is, as I have previously indicated, that this firm apparently could do the work if they could get the orders, but I do not place the orders.