Q2. Mr. J. Hillasked the Prime Minister if the public speech made by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs about industry in Scotland at the opening of the new Ferranti factory at Dalkeith on 18th April represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir.
Mr. HillIs the Prime Minister aware that, when his right hon. Friend opened this factory at Dalkeith for Ferranti, the managing director of that firm made an allegation against the Government that this country was buying weapons of doubtful validity from America and, to make matters worse, was purchasing them from the competitors of British firms? Will the right hon. Gentleman advise the Ministers responsible for those purchases to lean back a little and to help firms in this country manufacturing the same type of equipment?
§ The Prime MinisterWith regard to the general proposition, this factory 899 manufactures machine tool control equipment. As far as I know, no Government order for such equipment has been placed, or is likely to be placed, outside this country.
Mr. HillIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this factory is making electronic equipment and not only the equipment to which he has referred? It is well known that Ferranti is one of the foremost firms in the world for electronic equipment. This factory could be extended to employ more than 2,000 people provided that the Government gave it the work.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is well known that all orders which possibly can be placed in this country are placed in this country.