§ 39. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Minister of Labour what reply he has sent to the communication addressed to him by the Cotton Spinners' Association on the subject of compensation for redundancy in the cotton industry.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI assume that what the hon. Member has in mind is correspondence which I had with the general secretary of the Amalgamated Association of Operative Cotton Spinners and Twiners. I am sending copies of the correspondence to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. HyndYes, I have a copy of the letter here. It is nicely worded, but does not give much away. Would not the Minister say something to encourage those who are promoting redundancy compensation schemes, which involve compensation for directors and shareholders, to have some consideration for spinners who are displaced, and whose peculiar skill cannot very well be absorbed into other industries?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI accept the latter point about their peculiar skill, which is very great, but I think the hon. Member has himself made the point that this is really a matter for the industry.