§ 34. Mr. Edelmanasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the increasing redundancy at the Unbrako Socket Screw Company, Burnaby Road, Coventry, arising from the fact that work is being transferred from this factory to firms controlled by the Unbrako group in Ireland and Germany; and what action he is taking to discourage the export of employment in this manner.
§ Mr. WhitelawI understand that there is no question of redundancy in the foreseeable future and the firm is in fact now beginning to re-engage a few of the workers previously made redundant.
§ Mr. EdelmanIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the district committee of the Amalgamated Engineering Union in Coventry believes that this redundancy will take place? With the breakdown of the Common Market negotiations, does not this matter illustrate a typical example of what might well happen, if it has not happened already, when investment capital goes to Germany and the other Common Market countries instead of either being used locally or, alternatively, being sent to places like Scotland, where there is a high level of unemployment?
§ Mr. WhitelawIt might be a little dangerous for me to enter the controversial waters of investment following the breakdown of the Common Market negotiations. We have no information to the affect that the hon. Member has given that there is likely to be redundancy in this firm. Nevertheless, I note what he has said.
§ Mr. HockingIs my hon. Friend aware that the company in question is at present employing 40 more people than last year and that it is taking people on and not making them redundant?
§ Mr. WhitelawOur information is certainly something of that nature.