§ 19. Mr. Jayasked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations his Department has had with industry about discharge of labour due to recent restrictions on hire-purchase trading.
§ Mr. MaudlingNone, Sir.
§ Mr. JayDid the President notice that Messrs. Hoovers released 400 workers in Scotland, 300 in Wales and only 100 in London, where there are many alternative types of employment available? Will the right hon. Gentleman recognise that there is an obligation upon him in cases like this to see that if there have to be releases of labour they are made in a sensible fashion?
§ Mr. MaudlingIt is difficult to go into individual cases without knowing all the details, but this is probably a case more for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.
§ Mr. JayAt least the President will agree that, whatever the precise merits of the case, there is an obligation on his Department to consult the firms in these cases?
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not think we can consult them until they approach us. But I hope that all firms will do their best when they have to declare redundancies to see that it is done in areas where there is more work available rather than in areas of high unemployment.