Lieut.-Colonel THORNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that the proposals submitted to the Ailsa Craig Motor Company to enable the firm to 1843W resume work and restart their old workpeople was only accepted by a representative of the firm because of a threat that in the event of a non-acceptance the company would be wound up; whether he is also aware of the opinion that the proposals referred to will not enable the company to resume operations; and whether he will receive a representative deputation to discuss the matter with him with a view to arriving at a satisfactory settlement?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The negotiations throughout, so far as the Ministry of Munitions is concerned, have been conducted with the creditors of the company. I am not prepared to accept the statement that the proposals referred to will not enable the company to resume operations. As the arrangement has been agreed to by all the parties concerned, and I have discussed the matter with representatives both of the company and the workpeople, I do not think that a deputation to discuss it afresh would serve any useful purpose.