HC Deb 26 June 1957 vol 572 cc183-5
9. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Labour what machinery exists between his and other Departments for the discussion of redundancy problems in Government establishments.

The Minister of Labour and National Service (Mr. Iain Macleod)

The arrangements for consultation which I described in the defence debate on 17th April cover both Government establishments and firms engaged on defence work.

Mr. Swingler

Before redundancies are declared does the Minister receive advance information so that he can study the employment situation locally and advise on the prospects of alternative employment or on the need to create new employment in those localities?

Mr. Macleod

Yes, indeed, I do. I get as long notice, as my Answer to the next Question will show, as can possibly be given. In all cases labour considerations, including the level of unemployment in the neighbourhood, are taken into account, although those considerations may not always, of course, prevail.

10. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Labour what advance information he obtained about redundancies at the Royal Ordnance factories at Radway Green and Swynnerton; and what special steps he has taken to find alternative employment for those involved.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I was informed some time ago, before any decision had been taken about the present redundancies, that it would probably be necessary to reduce the numbers employed at these factories within the current year. Some three weeks before the earliest discharges took effect, representatives from my local offices attended at the factories to register those who needed help in finding other work. Twenty-three men from Radway Green have already been placed in employment and nearly 70 others are under submission although their discharge does not become effective until 28th June. Thirty-two of the 190 part-time workers from Swynnerton who registered for other work have been placed in full-time work. We shall continue to do everything possible to help those who have not yet found other jobs.

Mr. Swingler

When the Minister received this information, did he take into account the fact that in the north Staffordshire area between these two factories the level of unemployment is a great deal higher than the national average? Did he also consider facilities for conversion to civil production in these factories in order to find alternative employment for the men?

Mr. Macleod

Regarding the first part of the supplementary question, that was certainly one of the factors taken into account, although there are only a limited number of occasions on which labour considerations can be a determining factor. Concerning the second part of the question, the allocation of factory space is, of course, a matter for the Minister concerned and the Board of Trade. As the hon. Gentleman knows, from Questions which he has put down to the Minister of Supply and other Ministers, that matter has been gone into.