§ 35. Mr. J. DAVISONasked the Prime Minister whether he has received a request to receive a deputation from Waltham Abbey to discuss the future of the Royal Gunpowder Factory; whether he is aware that the decision to close down this factory and transfer the work to Gretna is giving the workpeople and the residents in the district great concern; whether he is aware of the statement that, when Minister of Munitions, he gave a pledge that the old-established factories would not suffer in consequence of the establishment of war-time factories; and whether he will grant an interview to the deputation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the rest of the question, the recommendations of the Committee which reported on the future of Gretna and Waltham Abbey will shortly be published. No useful purpose would, in my opinion, be served by receiving a further deputation until publication has taken place.