Expansion Should Take Second Place
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EEXPANSION within the motor industry should take second place to security of employment for existing workers. This opinion is expressed by four leaders of engineering trade unions who presented the results of their investigation into the industry, to the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions, at York, yesterday. The report. produced by Mr. W. Cockin and Mr. P. Hanley of the Amalgamated Engineering Union; Mr. L. R. Kealey, Transport and General Workers' Union, and Mr. A. Roberts, Vehicle Builders' Union, is lukewarm towards the plans of some motor manufacturers to build new factories in Scotland, South Wales and on Merseyside. The investigators are more anxious to protect the industry's present workers
than to provide extra jobs in areas where there is a low employment level. While the expansions are socially desirable the Government's approach to the plans has not been planned effectively, states the report. So far nothing appears to have been done to improve communications between new and parent factories. New trunk roads would be necessary, it is stated. The British road system generally is criticized, and, says the report, " it is probably the poorest of any modern industrial country."
Even more controversial are the comments on repair and service facilities for motorists. To supplement the present "poor" service the report suggests that manufacturers should set up their .own service and repair centres in large towns.