§ Mr. Edelmanasked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is satisfied that the output of Messrs. Humber, Limited, Coventry, corresponds with its productive capacity; and why, in view of the export programme 500 men were dismissed from these works as redundant.
§ Mr. LeonardThe reply to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." Since 18th January, when a "Go slow" policy was adopted by the employees in certain parts of the works, production has fallen short of the planned programme by about 50 per cent. I have no reason to believe that Humber, Limited, are not abiding by the agreement reached with the motor industry providing for the export of 50 per cent, of the total production of private cars.
§ Mr. Edelmanasked the Minister of Labour why he has permitted Messrs. Humber, Ltd., Coventry, to issue redundancy notices to 500 employees at their motor works when an industrial dispute is in progress.
§ Mr. IsaacsIt an employer regards workers as redundant he is entitled to apply to the national service officer for permission to terminate the employment, and the Essential Work Orders require that the national service officer shall, so 409W far as is practicable either grant or refuse his permission within seven days of the receipt of the application by him. The national service officer is dealing with the applications made by Humber, Limited, on their merits from the point of view of redundancy and his decisions, against which there will be a right of appeal to an independent local appeal board, have no relation to the merits of any industrial dispute.