§ 31. Mr. Marloweasked the Minister of Labour what information he has been able to obtain from the regional and local offices of his Department on the future trend of employment among railwaymen as a result of the cuts in train services; and what steps he is taking to provide other employment for them.
Mr. LeeI have had no information from the regional and local offices of my Department reporting an unfavourable trend of employment among railwaymen.
§ Mr. MarloweHas the hon. Gentleman seen the report that the train services are being cut, and has he called for any information from the branch offices with regard to this? Secondly, will he tell the House whether he agrees with the estimate of his hon. Friend the Member for Reading, North (Mr. R. Mackay), that there are already 90,000 men redundant on British Railways? Does he agree with that estimate or not?
Mr. LeeI would rather take the word of the Railway Executive on the question of those people who are redundant.
§ Mr. PooleDoes the Minister agree that this is a matter which can well be taken care of by the trade unions catering for the industry, and would it not be well to leave it to them?
§ Brigadier Prior-PalmerIs the Minister aware that recently 30 men were stood-off at Lancing railway works and that another 16 followed?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. and gallant Member is giving information rather than asking for it.