§ 21. Dr. Dickson Mabonasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the impending closure of the Rankin and Blackmore foundry and engine works in Greenock; and what steps the Government intend taking before July to deal with unemployment in Greenock and district.
§ Mr. HareI am aware of this closure. The Government are endeavouring to do all they can to encourage industrial expansion in the Greenock area.
§ Dr. MabonDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that the situation in Greenock has never been worse than it has been during his time as Minister of Labour? Will he urge the President of the Board of Trade to build an advance factory? If he will not do that, what is he 18 prepared to urge on the President of the Board of Trade?
§ Mr. HareI realise the difficulties in the area. In fact, of the 37 workers involved in this instance who have so far registered from this firm, 17, I am glad to say, have been placed or have found work. On the more general point, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is doing all he can to encourage industry to go to the development districts, including the hon. Gentleman's constituency. I think that the Chancellor's recent measures generally to boost the economy also will have a beneficial effect.
§ Dr. MabonThe right hon. Gentleman has been misinformed. Does not he know that there are in fact over 100 men involved and that what has been happening here is an old dodge, namely, transferring men out of one firm into another within one large group and then sacking them, it being claimed that they are being sacked from that firm as distinct from the particular firm which is closing down?
§ Mr. HareI certainly was not trying to mislead the hon. Gentleman. What I said was that we know that of the 37 who were registered for employment, 17 have so far been placed or have found work.