§ 28. Mr. Millanasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the redundancy of 1,100 workers from 22nd February at the factory of Remington-Rand, Millington, Glasgow; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. ErrollI was sorry to learn about the reduction of the scale of operations at this factory at Hillington, and the consequent discharge of part of the labour force. The company, which has been in touch with us, regrets that it must take this step for commercial reasons. Although there is nothing that I can do in this particular case, I shall go on doing my utmost to encourage the introduction and expansion of industry in the area by the vigorous use of my powers under the Local Employment Act.
§ Mr. MillanCould not the President of the Board of Trade give us something more than the stereotyped reply he gave in the latter part of his Answer? Has he actively intervened with this company to see whether this redundancy can be avoided? This will give rise to a dread-
§ been subject to any special termination date.
§ Following are the details:
§ fully serious situation in the area, as he must know, in view of other redundancies and unemployment. Will he do something a little more active than he seems to have done up to the present to see if this redundancy could be avoided and some relief given, if only for the next few months? This has happened at absolutely the worst time of the year.
§ Mr. ErrollIn replying, I should like to thank the hon. Gentleman for the letter he wrote me on this subject and say that I went into the matter very closely, and so did my officials, and I was quite certain that there was no intervention which I could usefully make in a situation which I personally regretted very much.
§ Mr. J. RobertsonIs the President of the Board of Trade aware that this redundancy is of two-thirds of the labour force? Is he aware further that the people employed in the factory are of the opinion that there is no lack of orders for their product? Does he not think that this is a case where a special inquiry should be made by his Department?
§ Mr. ErrollNo. Unfortunately, what the employees think is not the case. The 1475 firm would dearly like to have the orders and to keep in production, but it has not got the orders.
§ Mr. RossIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we should like a little more work, vigour and effective action from him? There is certainly no evidence in Scotland of the vigour and action he says he has been applying to this task. When will the Government get down to business? This is happening week after week. The out-flow of jobs from this pipeline is taking place much more speedily than the number of jobs coming into Scotland from the much heard of pipeline.
§ Mr. ErrollI do not want in any way to minimise the seriousness of the unemployment problem in Scotland, but the evidence of the many new factories in Scotland is proof of the vigour with which we are pursuing this policy.