§ 4. Mr. Bevinsasked the Minister of Labour what is his policy towards the problem of redundancy in static and contracting industries; and what steps are being taken to implement it.
§ Mr. RobensMy policy is to avoid under-employment and so secure the fullest use of the nation's manpower in achieving maximum productivity for exports and for consumption at home whilst carrying out the defence programme. To this end employers are encouraged to give employment exchanges early notice of prospective redundancies, and workers are encouraged through their trade unions to register as long as possible before discharge so that efforts may be made to find other work for them with little or no interval of unemployment. The British Employers' Confederation and Trades Union Congress are co-operating to this end.
§ Mr. BevinsIn view of the conflict between what the right hon. Gentleman 2126 has said and what actually happens in his own State-run industries, will he bring to the attention of some of his right hon. Friends the reply he has just given?
§ Mr. RobensAs I stated, discussions on that matter are taking place at the present time.