§ Mr. Longdenasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is now in a position to give an assurance that members of the Aeronautical Engineers' Association, most of whom entered the industry via the Government Training Centres between 1935 and 1942 and cover the larger percentages of employees in many Air Ministry depots, will not be discharged in favour of employees in other trade unions.
§ Mr. StracheyI can give an assurance that the order of discharge will not be decided by reference to membership of particular organisations. The determining factor in the cases which my hon. Friend perhaps has in mind is the employee's position as a registered dilutee under the Relaxation of Customs Agreement. If circumstances arise when, under the terms of this agreement skilled workers must be re-employed as they become available in place of such dilutees, the order of discharge will be regulated in accordance with the terms of the agreement.