Mr. Ted Fletcherasked the Minister of Labour what steps his Department is taking to secure alternative employment for the 1,100 workpeople employed at the North Road Railway Workshops, Darlington, which is due to close on 31st March; and what are the prospects of finding suitable openings for these work-people.
§ Mr. ThorntonA special office of the Darlington Employment Exchange was set up at the North Road Workshops in October, 1965, and almost all the workshop employees registered for other jobs. Terminations have so far exceeded the number of planned discharges. It is estimated that about 250 people have 47W been placed, about 100 have found work and 40 have been transferred to other railway employment. Prospects of alternative jobs for the remaining employees are generally good; these include opportunities at the Railway Workshops, Doncaster for men willing to transfer.