§ 46. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for Air what steps are being taken to dispose of the buildings and plant at Stoke Heath.
§ Mr. NeaveWe are finding out whether there is any other Government use for the site. If there is not we shall try to sell it.
§ Mr. SwinglerIn view of the need for more employment in this area, which, as the hon. Gentleman knows, has a comparatively high level of unemployment, will a special effort be made by his Department to try to dispose of the buildings in such a way as to create new employment in the area?
§ 47. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for Air how many established and unestablished men made redundant at Stoke Heath have been offered alternative employment; why some of them have been offered posts at stations due to be closed shortly; and to what extent 390 the trade unions have been consulted about the problems arising from the closure of this station.
§ Mr. Neave44 established and 62 un-established employees have been offered other work. Another six will be offered it shortly. One job for a temporary labourer was offered at a unit due to close at the end of the year. Redundancy arrangements are agreed centrally with the trades unions concerned.
§ Mr. SwinglerAs the hon. Gentleman knows, I have raised this question before. Would he try to ensure that there is some effective consultation with the trade unions on these matters? Is he aware that in my constituency there is no really effective consultation and, as a result, the men have a long catalogue of grievances? Cannot something be done to consult the trade union officers and go through all these redundancy questions?
§ Mr. NeaveMy information is that redundancy agreements are discussed with the trade unions concerned. If the hon. Gentleman is right in saying that they are not, I am most concerned about it, and I should like to have details from him.