§ 26. Mr. Edelmanasked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been drawn to the consequential redundancy in engineering workers which may result 18 at the Armstrong Whitworth works, Coventry, from a reduction in orders for Hunter aircraft; and what action he proposes in order to maintain the company's factories and skilled workers in full employment.
§ The Minister of Supply (Mr. Reginald Maudling)The small reduction in orders for Hunters, of which the parent firm has been notified, will not affect production at Messrs. Armstrong Whitworth at Coventry.
§ Mr. EdelmanWhile thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him, in view of the recession in the motor industry in places like Coventry, whether he will give an assurance to the workers at Messrs. Armstrong Whitworth's that the programme will be maintained during the next six months, at least, which will be critical in the motor industry?
§ Mr. MaudlingI cannot order more aircraft than the Services require. The redundancy that had been feared at Messrs. Armstrong Whitworth's in the early part of this year has, in fact, not materialised, because the firm themselves have been extremely active—and I am glad to say successful—in finding extra work and are hoping to get additional export orders.