Bristol Aircraft, Limited

HC Deb 08 April 1959 vol 603 cc182-5

28 Mr. Wilkins

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many employees of Bristol Aircraft, Limited, terminated their services with that company through redundancy or other causes in the year 1958;

(2) what notification he has received from Bristol Aircraft, Limited, of expected redundancies in the six months 1st January to 30th June, 1959; and the numbers involved;

(3) if he is in a position to give an assessment of the employment situation at Bristol Aircraft, Limited, on the termination of the Britannia project in December, 1959.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I understand that the net reduction in employment at this firm during 1958 was approximately 1,300. Notifications of expected redundancies given by particular employers are confidential, but the firm has announced that employment would be reduced by a further 1,200 in the first half of 1959. Future employment levels are for assessment by the firm concerned.

Mr. Wilkins

The fact that these three Questions have been answered together makes it rather difficult for me to put a supplementary question. May I first ask the Minister whether he would not regard the figure of 1,300 redundancies last year as rather disturbing, especially when taken in conjunction with the fact that in the whole country the aircraft industry is being run down by 100,000? Is he able to say whether there have been only a little over 100 discharges or so this year, and, if that is the case, does not it mean that there are likely to be heavy dismissals from this aircraft factory during the next couple of months? Further, could he offer some reason why this industry, which one would expect in these days to be an expanding industry, is shrinking to the extent which we would understand by the figure of 100,000 redundancies? Is he also aware that this is an extremely serious matter for the aircraft industry?

Mr. Macleod

The key question about the figures last year is not so much the 1,300, because that is natural enough, perhaps, at a time when the aircraft industry is contracting, but how many of those 1,300 remained out of work. The hon. Gentleman will be glad to know that an inquiry covering not only Bristol alone but all the areas from which these two firms—Bristol Aircraft, Limited, and Bristol Aero-Engines—draw their labour, shows that only 46 people who lost work at either firm are now unemployed. It is this figure of 46 which should be noted, and not perhaps the figure of 1,300. So far as the future is concerned, this firm is a very co-operative firm, and works, as all good firms should do, very closely indeed with my Ministry. In this sphere —and the cases of Saunders-Roe in the Isle of Wight and Hawkers of Blackpool come to mind—there have been some very remarkable placings even when fears were expressed before, and I believe that the future for these Bristol men, even with the redundancies that have been announced for the next few months, is reasonably good.

Mr. Corfield

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the indications at the present time are that the number of redundancies forecast for the first part of this year will not be reached, and that, therefore, the position is better than it appears?

Mr. Macleod

I am very glad to hear it. The figures I have given were figures which, as I understand it, the firm have made public. If there has been something of a pick-up, I am glad to hear it.

Mr. Coldrick

May I ask the Minister if he would enter into direct negotiations with the leaders of the Bristol Aircraft Company, together with the workers employed there, in order that they may relieve the minds of the people working there and the anxieties which they have about the future? If he could give them that assurance, I am sure that it would ease the situation.

Mr. Macleod

I do not think I could reasonably give that sort of assurance, because the questions of contracts being placed with these firms, either by the Service Departments concerned or by civil operators, depends on the success of these firms and any other firms in the commercial field. As I announced earlier, when I paid tribute to the firm, I will certainly work as closely as I can with this firm, or any other firm, in any difficulties that may occur.

Mr. Wilkins

As it appears impossible for the Minister to satisfy us with his answers to this series of Questions, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

Mr. Robert Cooke

In view of the fact that I have not had the opportunity to put a supplementary question, as a Member representing Bristol, may I also give notice that I should like to raise this matter? [HON. MEMBERS: "Put a Question down."]