HC Deb 24 February 1969 vol 778 cc1078-9
62. Mr. Raphael Tuck

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what representations she has received from the unions and the management of Rolls-Royce regarding the closure at Stag Lane, Edgware, and at Bristol to assist in effecting a reconciliation between the two sides.

Mr. Hattersley

No representations have been received. Officers of my Department have, however, been in touch with both sides and it is clear that intervention by my Department would not be useful at present. We will of course keep in touch with developments.

Mr. Tuck

Is my hon. Friend aware that the workers at Bristol and Stag Lane, who were very concerned about the prospective lay-offs, have written asking the managing director of Rolls-Royce to meet them, and that he has written back saying that this is a purely Bristol Siddeley affair? What does my hon. Friend propose to do about it?

Mr. Hattersley

I do not propose to do anything about that last statement, since the facts are by no means clear. In the light of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, it should be said that the company has been anxious to discuss the phasing and timing of redundancies with the unions involved, which my Department regards as altogether appropriate. If these redundancies come about, we hope that they will be preceded by such discussions.