HC Deb 20 February 1967 vol 741 cc1142-4
50. Mr. Randall

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the redundancies which will arise by the proposal to transfer the work of the British Railways chief accountant's office at Newcastle-upon-Tyne to York; and what proposals he has to deal with those who will be displaced.

51. Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is proposing to take to provide alternative employment for staff at present employed by the chief accountant, British Railways, at Newcastle who become redundant as a result of the merger of British Railways Eastern and North-Eastern Regions.

Mr. Fernyhough

I am informed that the merger involves the transfer of about 80 accounts office staff from Newcastle to York and 20 to Peterborough over the next six to eight months. Only those who are unwilling to tranfer are likely to be redundant and the employment exchange service will do everything it can to help them to find alternative work.

Mr. Randall

Would not my hon. Friend agree that it is disturbing that 80 jobs should be transferred from a development area? Was he informed of this transfer in view of the policy of Her Majesty's Government that jobs should be directed to development areas?

Mr. Fernyhough

As my hon. Friend is aware, these redundancies arose because of the merging of two offices, which is likely to lead to a reduction of staff of 1,500 over the next 12 months. I cannot say, of course, what consultations have taken place with the Ministry, but I can say that consultations have taken place at every stage with the unions concerned. I can only repeat that the Department will do everything possible to find employment for those who find themselves unable to transfer.

Mr. Brown

Is my hon. Friend aware that many of my constituents affected by this merger are deeply resentful that a publicly-owned industry should be pursuing a policy directly in opposition to avowed Government policy? How long are the Government Front Bench prepared to accept this situation?

Mr. Fernyhough

If the North-East never has to face a bigger problem than this in a merger where 1,500 people will eventually be without their jobs, because as staff is run down replacements will not be taken on, I have much more hope for its future than I have had in the past.

Dame Irene Ward

Would not the hon. Gentleman think it wiser to transfer staff from York to Newcastle? In view of the fact that this is directly against the declared policy of Her Majesty's Government, will the hon. Gentleman support my suggestion that the Minister of Transport should give a directive to British Railways against the transfer? Now, answer straight.

Mr. Fernyhough

I think the House would enjoy it much better if a question which should be addressed to the Minister of Transport were addressed to her by the hon. Lady.

Dame Irene Ward

I have so addressed it.

Mr. Ridley

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the merger will make the Chief Accountant's Department more efficient and whether it will lead to a reduction in the deficit of British Railways?

Mr. Fernyhough

I cannot say either —[HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"]—because I am not answerable here for British Railways—but British Railways have throughout consulted the unions concerned on this matter, and I am satisfied that if it had been possible to avoid any redundancies in the North-East as the consequence of this merger the unions themselves would have seen to it.

Dame Irene Ward

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the earliest possible moment on the Adjournment.

Mr. Brown

On a point of order. Is it in order for the Minister of Labour, to whom I put down the second Question, No. 94, seeking a reply in respect of the provision of allowances which are normally provided by the Ministry of Labour, to transfer it to the Minister of Transport?

Mr. Speaker

The question of transfer of hon. Members' Questions from Minister to Minister is a matter for Ministers, not Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Urwin

On a point of order. Is it strictly in order for the hon. Lady to give notice to raise this matter on the Adjournment when the Question was raised by an hon. Friend of mine on this side of the House?

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is quite in order.