§ 72. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is aware that Beaverbrook Newspapers Limited are in the process of declaring redundant 2,006 employees in Scotland, with further reductions in London and Manchester with possible cuts of up to 20 per cent. in staff in some departments; and whether he will initiate discussions with the trade unions and Beaverbrook Newspapers Limited to see to what extent his Department can assist in these employment problems.
§ Mr. BryanI have received no information about prospective redundancies at Beaverbrook Newspapers Limited. It would not be appropriate for my Department to seek to initiate discussions on this subject between management and the work people's representatives. However, the services of the Department would, of course, be made fully available in the event of any redundancies.