HC Deb 19 February 1968 vol 759 cc2-3
1. Mr. Corfield

asked the Minister of Labour if he will take steps to ensure that skilled personnel rendered redundant by the cancellation of orders for Buccaneer aircraft for the Royal Navy are redeployed so that their skill and experience are put to the maximum use in the interest of the Government's export drive.

The Minister of Labour (Mr. R. J. Gunter)

Yes, Sir. My officers will do what they can to bring to their attention vacancies in export and other important industries.

Mr. Corfield

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his past experience of matters of this kind gives grounds for much optimism? Is he aware that the Americans are now proposing to fly Army trucks to South Africa, and is it not time that we reconsidered the decision about Buccaneer aircraft?

Mr. Gunter

I do not know that I am called upon to answer questions about the trucks, but our experience in the past has been that personnel have been absorbed at a fairly rapid rate. Of the skilled personnel to whom the hon. Member refers in connection with the Buccaneer, so far only 35 trained personnel have been made redundant, of whom about 23 have already been placed.