§ Mr. Moneyasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether, in their notification to his Department that no final decision would be made with regard to the suggested closure of Ransomes and Rapier of Ipswich until 21st October, 1972, the directors of Newton Chambers gave an undertaking that there would be no major transfer of engineering work to Sheffield until a firm decision is announced;
(2) whether in their notification to his Department that no final decision would be made with regard to the suggested 473W closure of Ransomes and Rapier of Ipswich until 21st October, 1972, the directors of Newton Chambers gave an undertaking that job vacancies caused by natural wastage would continue to be filled during the period until a firm decision is announced.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThese matters were not raised in the letter concerned which was addressed to the Amalgamated Union of Engineering and Foundry Workers, and of which a copy was sent to my Department.
§ Mr. Moneyasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in view of the Code of Industrial Practice, he will recommend to the directors of Newton Chambers, in making any decision with regard to the suggested closure of Ransomes and Rapier of Ipswich, that they should follow the severance proposals put forward in the dock industry by the Aldington-Jones Committee.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithNo. It would be inappropriate for my right hon. Friend to make such a recommendation.