§ 94. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Motherwell Bridge and Engineering Company, which is building the £8 million nuclear power station at Hunterston, Ayrshire, and employing 500 men and paying an average £20 a week wage, has suffered 15 unofficial strikes in the last seven months which has lost 14 per cent. of the working time and put the job six months behind, and is now threatening to cease the work altogether; and what consultations he has had with the responsible trades union leaders with a view to preventing unemployment in the district.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodYes. I am aware of these disputes and of the difficulties they have caused. I am told that the management and representatives of the men have now set up a Joint Production Committee, and I hope that this will enable any further grievances to be settled without recourse to strikes. I am glad to say that it has not been necessary to have the consultations visualised by my hon. Friend, but my officers in Scotland will continue to keep in touch with the situation.