§ 48. Sir D. Robertsonasked the Lord Privy Seal if the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority will arrange to accept suitable men unemployed in the motor industry for jobs at Dounreay where one shift per day with excessive overtime is being worked.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe men engaged in constructional work at Dounreay are employees, not of the Atomic Energy Authority, but of contractors, who are of course free to engage suitable men unemployed in the motor industry.
§ Sir D. RobertsonIs it not a fact that the contractors are employed by the Atomic Energy Authority, which is a Government organisation? Is it not quite wrong that there should be one shift, that 60 to 80 hours a week should be worked, while fine men in the Midlands have been forced into unemployment and on to short time? Will my right hon. Friend look again at this situation, which is distorting the economy of the northern counties of Scotland? No one can compete with the wages being paid by the Government.
§ Mr. ButlerI gave an answer to the hon. Gentleman in regard to this matter, which affects his constituency. I do not accept that the overtime is necessarily excessive. I do stress the difficulties of this somewhat distant site and the problem facing the contractors and the need to make a speedy development in finishing this job. Whether we can arrange for men from as far away as the motor industry districts to work there is a matter which is engaging the attention of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, but it seems a rather difficult proposition. However, if the contractors wish to engage these men, we shall be only too glad to assist.