§ 53. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if any steps are contemplated towards the reopening of the Argyle Motor Factory at Alexandria, Dumbartonshire, which was a munition factory during the War and is now standing idle; and whether he is aware that there could be thousands of engineers employed in it in the manufacture of machinery which Russia requires?
Mr. GRAHAMAs stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumbarton on the 20th March last, all possible steps to sell this factory have been taken. It has been extensively advertised in London, Scottish, provincial and trade papers. The Government are not prepared to re-open it as a Government factory, but would be glad to dispose of this property immediately a suitable offer is obtained.
§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEWould it not be possible to manufacture bricks in this factory and so help the shortage?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that in this district there are thousands of engineers that have not been working for between three or four years, and this is something practical which is suggested to the Government in order to give these men work that They can do, and work that will be beneficial not only to themselves but to the British Empire?
Mr. GRAHAMI have the greatest sympathy with my hon. Friend's reference to this district, in which unemployment is acute, but it was decided a considerable time ago to dispose of this factory at Alexandria. Apart, however, 2313 from that, I would further remind my hon. Friend that there are large numbers of firms in the same district who cannot get orders; consequently, there is no guarantee whatever that we should get one order if we were to reopen the place.