§ 7. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Supply how many workers have been made redundant in the last three months, and how many workers it is proposed to make redundant in the next three months, at the Royal Ordnance factories at Radway Green and Swynnerton ; and what steps he is taking to prevent unemployment in these areas.
§ Mr. MaudlingNo workers have been made redundant at Radway Green during the past three months. I expect that there will be a redundancy of 380 in total in the months of November and January and of 190 in February. At Swynnerton 15 part-time employees have been discharged in the past three months. I expect that there will be none in the next three. Every effort will be made locally, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and National Service, to help those who have been discharged to find other employment.
§ Mr. SwinglerHas there been full consultation with the union at Radway Green about this fairly large-scale redundancy which is proposed in the next three months? Will the Minister give an assurance that in all such cases, before large numbers of men are thrown on to the labour market in this way, there will be consultation with the unions to provide alternative employment for the men?
§ Mr. MaudlingOur relations with the trade unions are good. This redundancy has been notified to the trade union side 1043 of the Ministry of Supply Joint Industrial Council, and I understand it is to be discussed at the next Council meeting on 31st October.