§ 39 and 40. Mr. C. Hughesasked the Minister of Labour (1) what action he is taking to find alternative employment for the staff of the Gwynedd River Board who have been rendered redundant;
(2) what consultation his branch office have had with the Gwynedd River Board regarding the phasing of redundancy which will arise as a result of curtailment of capital works; and what information his branch office have been given in this regard.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe river board has informed my local offices that all work in hand, which is spread over five counties, will be completed and that no redundancies are expected for some months to come.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that, according to my information, within a few weeks, and as a direct result of the Government's policy, two-thirds of the labour force of this river board will be out of work? Could he say what steps he is taking to provide alternative employment for these men and for the other men who will be unemployed?
§ Mr. MacleodThe information which I have and which comes direct from the board is that this process will take about four to six months. The total number of people involved is about 60, spread over five counties. At that distance of time, it is a difficult problem to make special arrangements, but so far as we can help locally, we shall do so.