Sir Stafford in Action
A sharp exchange in the House of Commons last week on the question how far a report on the reduction of output per man in Scottish coal-mines had allocated responsibility for the deficiency equitably between men and management received an interesting commentary in the action taken by the new Minister of Aircraft Production, Sir Stafford Cripps, in imposing a new managing director on a large aircraft works in the Home Counties. His action was the result of complaints by the workers, through the appointed machinery of joint production committee and regional production board, that deficiencies on the part of the management were respon- sible for failure of production to reach a higher level, and it must be assumed that the allegations were searchingly examined before the drastic step now announced was taken. If it was, the vigorous initiative of Sir Stafford Cripps is to be warmly applauded. It will create confidence everywhere among the workers to whom he appealed so effectively in his broadcast on Sunday night to shorten the war by providing the troops with the utmost maximum of aircraft, and It should stimulate managements without unduly alarm- ing them. The emphasis thus laid on the importance of management in any industrial enterprise is altogether to the good. If there are shortcomings in that quarter no diligence or ability on the part of the workers can make up for it.
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