HC Deb 07 November 1944 vol 404 cc1276-7W
Mr. Thorne

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that 300 men were discharged from the East London Dock on Friday night; if they will be entitled to unemployment pay if they sign on at the Freemason's Road Exchange at Customs House, East; and if those men can be employed on house repair work in the county borough of West Ham.

Mr. Tomlinson

Some reduction in the London Dock labour force is contemplated, but I am not aware that any notices of discharge have yet been issued. When any such reduction is made there should be no difficulty in placing the men affected in alternative employment.

Mr. Thorne

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production why the aircraft production factories at Chiswick and the White City and six other factories have given notice to close down; and as this means that some hundreds of men and women will be thrown out of work what kind of alternative employment will be found for these people.

Sir S. Cripps

The necessity for reducing the output of aircraft from these factories arises from the changing needs of the war. As regards the second part of the Question I would refer my hon Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Southwark, South East (Mr. Naylor) by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service to-day.