§ 36. Sir J. Edenasked the Minister of Labour what studies he has made of the extent to which machines now in use in British manufacturing industry are being overmanned; what comparative studies he has made with industry in the United States of America; and what discussions he has had in this country with unions and management in order to secure the release for more productive employment of the manpower locked up in this way.
§ Mr. GunterI have not made detailed studies of the kind suggested by the hon. Member. This is only one aspect of the much wider question of the more effective use of manpower which I am continuing to discuss with both management and unions through my National Joint Advisory Council and in other ways.
§ Sir J. EdenDoes that Answer mean that the right hon. Gentleman has no factual information on which to judge the extent to which the proposition framed in my Question may obtain now? Will he look into this position as a matter of some urgency, for would he not agree that many authorities think that far too many people are unnecessarily manning the new machines coming into industry and that they could be valuable assets 19 to labour in those areas which at present are short of labour?
§ Mr. GunterI agree with the hon. Member that there is over-manning in certain areas of industry today. Statistical information on it is very difficult to come by, as the Americans themselves have found, because sometimes there is a reluctance to face the facts of life. The encouragement which I am trying to give as a priority is at workshop floor level so that by joint efforts trade unions and management can come to terms on this problem.