HC Deb 17 June 1959 vol 607 cc438-9
43. Mr. Ross

asked the Minister of Labour what consultations he had with the British Transport Commission to ensure that the decision on the future of the Kilmarnock railway workshop did not aggravate the unemployment situation in the area.

Mr. Wood

I understand that the decision to transfer work from Kilmarnock to Glasgow forms part of the British Transport Commission's plans for rationalised use of workshops in connection with their modernisation programme on lines recently announced. Alternative railway employment is being offered to those affected.

Mr. Ross

But I do not think that is a very satisfactory answer to the Question which I asked about what consultations have taken place. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I put this Question on the Order Paper to demonstrate to the people of Kilmarnock that we owe no gratitude to the hon. Gentleman and that this decision on the part of a Government Department which should have responsibility for employment in the Development Areas demonstrates that we can have no confidence at all in its efforts?

Mr. Wood

I think that my right hon. Friend made clear, when he answered another Question by the hon. Member on 4th May, that his Department is in constant touch with the Minister of Transport on this question. It is certainly true, of course, that unemployment or possible unemployment in the future is an important consideration, but it is only one of many which have to be taken into account.

Mr. Robens

Has the Parliamentary Secretary considered the point that in closing down a railway workshop it may well be that after consultation with the British Transport Commission and trade union representatives work is found elsewhere for the railway workers but, as in the case of Horwich in Lancashire, that part of the country depends on its very existence on that workshop. If the workshop is to be disbanded or not used by the Commission, does the hon. Gentleman not think that he should speak to his hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to make sure that the workshop is used to provide alternative employment and thereby keep the community going?

Mr. Wood

That is an important consideration which is taken into account. Not only have jobs been offered to those affected, but the loss to the hon. Member for Kilmarnock is someone else's gain, because this work has gone to a part of Scotland which has heavier unemployment than the present one.