§ 76. Mr. J. E. Crowderasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what progress has been made by the Working Party which is considering the question of dilutees working on Air Ministry establishments; and how soon their report is expected.
Mr. WardThis Working Party, which was set up by the former Secretary of State for Air to consider problems arising from the operation of the Temporary Relaxation of Existing Customs Agreement, 1939, and which consisted of three representatives of the Amalgamated Engineering Union and three officials of the Air Ministry, met twice last year under the chairmanship of the then Under-Secretary of State.
Following these meetings no formal report was submitted, but the Air Ministry drafted a proposed modification of the 1939 Agreement for consideration by the Executive of the Amalgamated Engineering Union. The latter were unable to accept it and have not put forward any alternative proposal.
My noble Friend and the Minister of Labour are most anxious to find a satisfactory solution to these problems and I am proposing to invite the Amalgamated Engineering Union to further talks.