§ 58. Mr. Gregoryasked the Minister of Labour if he will now hold an inquiry into the official dispute at Roberts-Arundel Limited, Chestergate, Stockport; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Hattersley:My right hon. Friend has decided after careful consideration not to set up an inquiry into the Roberts-Arundel dispute. The practice of Ministers of Labour for many years has been to appoint inquiries if they are likely to help resolve a major dispute or an important problem of industrial relations. In my view, an inquiry would not have helped in this way at any stage during this dispute. I see no reason to alter this view now that the company have decided to cease manufacturing from mid-January.
§ 59. Mr. Gregoryasked the Minister of Labour what advice has been sought by and given to Roberts-Arundel Limited, Stockport.. following their declared intention to close the factory in January, 1968, with particular regard to redundancy payments to the employees.
§ Mr. Hattersley:At the company's request, local Ministry officials visited the company on 15th December and discussed the question of redundancy payments for their employees and the advance registration of redundant employees for alternative employment.