§ 19. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement giving particulars of the steel, tinplate and sheet works which have been completely or partially closed in Wales and Monmouthshire in the past twelve months, together with the number of workers displaced in each case.
§ Mr. WoodThe Iron and Steel Board has received official notification of the closure of five works in the last twelve months and, with permission, I will circulate details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. GriffithsIs the Minister aware that men are now being displaced from the old steel works long before they are absorbed into the new ones, and that the situation is becoming critical? Secondly, will he consult the Iron and Steel Board about the rather stupid policy, said to be adopted by some steel owners in the new works, of refusing to employ anyone over 50 years of age, and sometimes even over 40 years of age, thereby losing the valuable work and service of these men, so necessary to meet the economic needs of the country? Will he look into the matter? These two problems are causing deep concern in Wales and elsewhere.
§ Mr. WoodI will certainly put the right hon. Member's second point to the Iron and Steel Board. As for the first, I do not think that any serious unemployment is resulting from these closures. In any case, as he knows, this is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.
§ Mr. GriffithsThe right hon. Member says that no serious unemployment is resulting from these closures. Will he look at the Answer given to me by his right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour last week, in which he said that closures were causing very serious unemployment and short-time working?
§ Mr. WoodI will certainly refer the right hon. Gentleman's question to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, but I was informed that the unemployment that has so far resulted has not been serious.
Following is the information:Closure of steel and tinplate works in Wales and Monmouthshire in the twelve months ended 31st January, 1962.
(i) Company and Works Number of Workers displaced Richard Thomas and Baldwins Ltd. Steelmaking and Billet Plant—Dyffryn 410 Tinning Department—Abercarn 87 Partridge, Jones and John Paton (R.T.B.) Ltd. Hand sheet mill—Pontnewynnyd Steelworks and foundry—Pontymister 327 Glynhir Tin Plate Co., Ltd. (Bynea Group) Hand mill producing black plate about 150 (i) i.e. the number of workers employed on the date of notification of the closure to the Iron and Steel Board less those still employed, mainly on residual tasks.