§ 19. Mr. Wainwrightasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Imperial Westfalite Factory at Denaby Main, in the Dearne Valley area, is to be closed down by the end of September, 1963, with the result that 290 employees will be declared redundant; and what action he is taking to ensure that suitable work will be found for these redundant persons.
§ Mr. WhitelawI am aware of this prospective closure. Our local officers will be registering redundant workers in advance of their discharge and will do their best to find them alternative employment.
§ Mr. WainwrightIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this business has been transferred to Scotland, and, even though people in the Dearne Valley area want more jobs to be transferred to Scotland, does he not realise that we are short of light engineering and other light industries in the Dearne Valley area? Therefore, will he not do more than he has said the Government are going to do to make sure that there are some jobs for these people?
§ Mr. WhitelawI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his generous attitude towards the transfer of work to Scotland. As the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire (Mr. Manuel) will know, this work is being transferred to I.C.I. at Ardeer. I am sure he will get satisfaction from that fact. Having said that, of course I understand what the hon. Gentleman has said. The labour force here is largely female, and I note what he says about light industries. I do not think I can go further today than say that I appreciate entirely the points that he has put forward.