HC Deb 21 October 1969 vol 788 c200W
Miss Devlin

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether, prior to accordance of public funds and special facilities to the British Sound Recorder factory in East Kilbride, assessment was made of previous trading history of this company, and the pattern of labour relations in its other works.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

I have been asked to reply.

Applications for assistance under the Local Employment Acts and for investment grants are confidential and I cannot comment on the position of an individual company.

Miss Devlin

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will make a statement on the current industrial dispute at British Sound Recorder's factory at East Kilbride, with special reference to the underlying causes of the present situation there.

Mr. Harold Walker

Some 1,000 members of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering and Foundry Workers employed by B.S.R. Ltd., East Kilbride, are on official strike over the company's refusal to recognise the trade union. Approaches by my Department have been rejected by the company. I have now asked the Commission of Industrial Relations to examine the situation.