HC Deb 27 May 1957 vol 571 cc17-8
24. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Supply if he will now give details of the effects of defence cuts upon employment and production at the Royal Ordnance factories at Radway Green and Swynnerton; and what steps he is taking to transfer to civil work where alternative employment does not exist in the locality.

25. Mr. D. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement on the future of the Maltby Royal Ordnance factory.

28. Commodore Harvey

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement concerning the future of Radway Green Ordnance factory, Cheshire.

Mr. Aubrey Jones

An immediate effect has been the redundancy just announced of 610 industrial and 47 non-industrial employees at Radway Green, 350 part-time industrials at Swynnerton, and 150 women industrials at Maltby. These factories still have a considerable amount of defence work in hand and, as their plant is specialised, there is little or no present scope for introducing civil work.

Mr. Swingler

Is the Minister aware that that is a most reactionary and unimaginative decision? Has he not studied the figure for unemployment in North Staffordshire. which is already considerably higher than the national average, because alternative employment does not exist? Will he not listen to the pleas that we have made for conversion to civil work of these very well-equipped factories, on which millions of pounds have been spent, instead of creating additional redundancy and unemployment?

Mr. Jones

I am afraid that the hon. Member is smelling reaction where there is none. There is no question of principle here, but a question of practical difficulty. These factories are still engaged on defence work, and the machinery is too specialised to allow the introduction of civil work at the same time.

Air Commodore Harvey

Can my right hon. Friend say what discussions he has had, and the result, with the Minister of Labour as to the future employment of these men?

Mr. Jones

I have, Sir, indicated to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour the likely level of redundancies.

Mr. Griffiths

Is the Minister aware of the serious position likely to arise at Maltby? The factory there is very efficient, the machinery is probably the most efficient we have in any Royal Ordnance factory in the country, and the relationships between employees and employers have been remarkably good. If, as is rumoured, that factory is to be handed over to civil authorities and private firms, will the Minister see that the machinery that can be adapted is used for these purposes?

Mr. Jones

Yes, Sir. I am very well aware of all these considerations. I would only ask hon. Members not to blind themselves to the necessity for some contraction of defence work.

Mr. Shinwell

But this is a very important matter. If that is so, what constructive proposals have the Government in contemplation? If we are to have partial disarmament and cutting of defence production, surely the Government must be ready to deal with the new situation as it arises?

Mr. Jones

I think that this matter was dealt with by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour in the defence debate some weeks ago. As things now stand, the general prospects for industry are such that men displaced from defence ought to be absorbed into civil work without difficulty.