§ 42. Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the increasing number of men employed in armament firms who are being retained at day rate wages in factories where there is no work for them to do; and what steps he has proposed to take to deal with this matter.
§ Sir W. MoncktonNo, Sir. I have no evidence that under-employment is at all common in armament firms. I have written to the hon. Member about the individual case he raised with me.
§ Mr. HaleI have not had a letter from the right hon. and learned Gentleman. Is he aware that it has been stated publicly, without contradiction, that, although the Avro works at Oldham are sub-contracting a great part of their Canberra work, at their factory at Failsworth they have 60 skilled sheet-metal workers kept on day wages and not allowed to be given any work to bring them full wages, that that has been the case for some time and that there have been public protests?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI am sorry that my letter has not reached the hon. Gentleman. When it does he will find that I have dealt with this case and that I have taken steps which I hope will remedy it.