§ 38. Mr. John Pageasked the Minister of Labour what criteria he is adopting in deciding into which industries he intends to encourage redundant workers to be redeployed.
§ Mr. GunterI would refer the hon. Member to my speech of 24th October in the debate on redeployment, in which I described the criteria used for this purpose.—[Vol. 734, c. 670–88.]
§ Mr. PageIt is on that speech that we expected to have further information. Are the criteria which the Minister laid down being effective, and can he tell us of any cases of people being redeployed from what he considers to be an unworthy industry into a worthy industry?
§ Mr. GunterI can give many examples, but, as I have said in the House before, I have no power to direct labour. What we have done in each of the regions is this. There has been established, in conjunction with the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Technology, a list of those firms with priority needs, and my officers will do the best they possibly can 22 to persuade men into these firms and industries. I cannot direct them.
§ Mr. BiffenIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the history of exports has been one of constant change? How on earth can any body of civil servants predict what are likely to be the developing exporting industries, based on past experience?
§ Mr. GunterI assure the hon. Gentleman that the civil servants to whom he refers, particularly my own regional controllers, have direct daily and intimate contact with the firms and they have a very good idea what is going on.