§ Sir David Priceasked the Paymaster General what will be the consequential increase in unemployment arising from the announced policy decision of British Rail Engineering Limited to remove all heavy repair work from the Eastleigh railway workshops; and what steps he proposes taking to counter that increase.
§ Mr. LangI understand that the British Railways Board has announced a restructuring of British Rail Engineering Limited into two distinct business groups from April 1986, with the Eastleigh works forming part of the British Rail maintenance group. The board has announced only the principles underlying its decision and will be working out the detailed implications for work load and employment over the next few months. All the facilities of the Manpower Services Commission will be made available to help any worker made redundant find alternative employment or train for a new job.