Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Employment – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 7 December 1964.
Mr Raymond Gunter
, Southwark
12:00,
7 December 1964
On the first two points, I understand that there has been bitter complaint from the unions about the sudden announcement on 19th November, and that bitterness has been expressed about the lack of consultation that took place beforehand. I also understand that there is great feeling about the terms of compensation, which, as my hon. Friend has said, amounts to five weeks' pay for over 21 years' service. The point is that the firm is complying with the statutory requirements of the Contracts of Employment Act. There is little that I can do about it other than to accept the hon. Member's suggestion to press forward with our legislation on redundancy and severance pay. I would add that I have received no representations from the unions on the matter.