§ 9. Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussion his Department is now having with the Central Electricity Generating Board as to future redundancies in the electricity supply industry.
§ Sir J. EdenThis is a matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board and the Electricity Council, but I have no reason to believe the industry has a serious redundancy problem.
§ Mr. CoxI am sure that the Minister is aware of the deep concern now being expressed by many men in the industry about their job security. In view of the widespread unemployment in the country, is it not the job of the Minister to engage in discussions with men who have loyally served the industry and who find themselves being made redundant only to see contract labour taking over their former jobs shortly afterwards?
§ Sir J. EdenThese are serious matters. But they are primarily matters for the managements in the industry.
§ Mr. Michael FootUnder the previous Administration, were there not frequent consultations on these matters? Cer- 918 tainly when there is redundancy such as this, when unemployment is growing rapidly in so many parts of the country, should not the Government themselves make some effort in the matter?
§ Sir J. EdenThe hon. Gentleman must surely know that redundancy problems may be ventilated through the national joint negotiating machinery which exists for the purpose.