HL Deb 28 June 1972 vol 332 cc925-6

2.41 p.m.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any information on the effects of delay in delivering goods of an industrial and domestic character due to the policy of redundancy which has been in operation.

THE EARL OF GOWRIE

My Lords, I am not aware of any tendency for firms to concentrate redundancies on service and delivery staff, but if the noble Lord will write to me giving any evidence in his possession I will have further inquiries made.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Earl for that Answer, but is he aware that there are many complaints, not about production but about the delivery of goods that are ordered, because sometimes people who order goods from industrial firms have to wait several weeks, and the reason given for the delay is usually shortage of labour? How far is that shortage of labour attributable to the policy among industrial firms, during the past two years, of dispensing with labour and creating redundancy?

THE EARL OF GOWRIE

My Lords, in general it is a matter for the commercial judgment of firms, who find it necessary to decide, in consultation with the representatives of the workers involved, what types of staff they are to discharge. That is not exactly a matter for the Government.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, would the noble Earl not agree that it leads to inconvenience, frustration and irritation when goods are ordered and weeks elapse before they are delivered? Does it not also inhibit production in the long run? And may I venture to ask the noble Earl whether he will accept a constructive suggestion from me; namely, that the Government should approach the C.B.I., who represent the majority of industrial firms in this country, ascertain their views and then discover whether they are prepared to conduct an investigation into the complaints?

THE EARL OF GOWRIE

My Lords, I have had such a sleepless night trying to work out what the noble Lord meant by "policy of redundancy" that I shall be absolutely delighted to look into his suggestion with great care and to bring it to the attention of my right honourable friend.