§ 37. Mr. D. Howellasked the Minister of Labour if he will have consultations with the Minister of Housing and Local 580 Government to ensure that, where redundant workers in the Midlands are required to work in other parts of the country, housing accommodation will be available to their families; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Minister of Labour and National Service (Mr. Iain Macleod)It is the practice of my Department to keep in touch with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government on questions of accommodation for workers. The requirements of the workers mentioned by the hon. Member as they have so far expressed them to my officers, do not suggest that any special consultation is necessary.
§ Mr. HowellIf large numbers of people are to be unemployed or redundant and work cannot be provided in the area, is it not clear that eventually they will look for work elsewhere? Does that mean that the Ministry and the Government, in those circumstances, would not be prepared to look at the matter and have a housing policy to meet such a situation?
§ Mr. MacleodOf course we are prepared to look at the matter and to keep it very closely under review. I have always held the opinion—and what has happened so far, on the whole, bears it out—that the housing difficulties are not as formidable as many people suggest. Up to the present, lack of family accommodation in other areas has not proved a hindrance, and there has not been a single case of the placing of redundant B.M.C. workers which involves living away from home.