§ Mr. Trevor Coxasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that during the past few months almost the entire staff of the Dukinfield wagon works coach shop, new and repair, has been dismissed and the works closed down; and whether the railway companies' policy in this respect has been changed since the 8th June this year?
§ Captain WallaceI understand that, under a scheme for the centralisation of their workshops, the company are reorganising their arrangements for the repair of carriages now carried out at Doncaster, York and Dukinfield. About 200 men at Dukinfield have been discharged, but employment will become available at York for between 350 and 400 additional men.
The company have a surplus of wagons and their requirements for new wagons are restricted to one or two special types. No new wagon construction will therefore be undertaken at Dukinfield. The forge and smithy will however be retained, and wagon repair work will be continued, certain of the carriage shops being utilised for this purpose.
There has been no change in the company's policy since the 8th June this year.