§ Mr. CHORLTONasked the Minister of Labour if he can now confirm that work will be found for all those men displaced by the closing of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Works, Newton Heath, Manchester?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONAs I stated in my reply to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Moss Side (Sir G. Hurst) on the 12th instant, my information is that a considerable number of the men employed on these works will be offered employment elsewhere by the company. I understand, however, that a number of dismissals is inevitable. I should like to repeat the assurance that every effort will be made by the Employment Exchanges to place in suitable employment, either locally or elsewhere, those workpeople who are not absorbed in the company's other establishments.
May I take this opportunity of correcting an error into which I fell in replying to a supplementary question on the 12th instant when I attributed to a representative of the railway company a statement that every displaced worker will be offered employment of some kind? I find that this statement was, in fact, reported to have been made by a member of the deputation which interviewed the company on behalf of the workpeople, and I should like to express my regret for any false impression which may have been created.