HC Deb 08 April 1952 vol 498 cc221-2W
Wing Commander Hulbert

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the working party appointed to inquire into the dilutee problem is expected to report.

Mr. Ward

This working party, which was set up by the former Secretary of State for Air to consider problems arising from the operation of the Temporary Relaxation of Existing Customs Agreement, 1939, and which consisted of three representatives of the Amalgamated Engineering Union and three officials of the Air Ministry, met twice under the chairmanship of the then Under-Secretary of State.

Following these meetings no formal report was submitted but the Air Ministry drafted a proposed modification of the 1939 Agreement for consideration by the Executive of the Amalgamated Engineering Union. The latter were unable to accept it and have not put forward any alternative proposal. My noble Friend is now considering, in consultation with the Minister of Labour, what further steps can be taken to solve these problems.