§ 54. Dr. CHAPPLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any scheme ready for the use of the factory at Gretna for the purpose of industrial production on the lines of the Pearson Committee's Report in event of a fair price not being realised at the public sale of Gretna properties?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. William Graham)If the contingency referred to by the hon. Member should arise, the position regarding the property at Gretna will be further considered.
§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEIn the event of these buildings not being sold, will the hon. Gentleman consider letting them, in view of the numerous applications there are to rent houses?
§ 55. Dr. CHAPPLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any reserve price has been placed upon the public sale of Gretna factory?
§ Mr. GRAHAMYes, Sir. A reserve price will be placed on each lot.
§ Dr. CHAPPLEHas any valuation been ordered of the break-up value of any of these buildings in order to ascertain what can be obtained for them in any other way supposing the reserve price should not be reached?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI need hardly say the fullest information is in possession of the Department, but obviously it would be very wrong to divulge it.
§ Mr. W. THORNEDoes not the hon. Gentleman think it is a violation of Socialist principles to sell this property?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI think not, because at present, if any attempt were made to deal with it, it would only be at very considerable national loss, and we are anxious to avoid that.
§ Mr. HARDIEOn what ground does the hon. Gentleman state that it would be a considerable loss, since they have made no investigation as to what could be manufactured there at a profit?
§ Mr. PRINGLEWould it be a violation of Socialist principles to run them at a loss?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODrose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is becoming a debate.
§ 65. Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, in view of the serious waste and deterioration of national property at Gretna, he will appoint a small committee composed of Members of this House to visit Gretna and report upon the best uses to which the properties could be put in the national interest?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dumbarton Burghs on the 12th May.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the hon. Member aware of the extraordinary divergence between the facts and figures with which he appears to be supplied on this question and the statements made by the people on the spot?
§ Mr. GRAHAMIt is true that there is considerable difference of opinion, but I have looked into the matter very carefully and I am satisfied that we have given an accurate statement of the case. The decision to dispose of Gretna was taken in 1921. No offer has been received for the whole of the property, but small parts have been sold. An auction will be held next month, and if that fails we shall have to consider the whole position.
§ Dr. CHAPPLEIs the hon. Member aware that the Pearson Committee examined this question and gave a list of industries that could be profitably carried out at Gretna, and has he looked into the report of that Committee and seen how far it applies at the present moment?
§ Mr. HARDIEWill the Minister give an undertaking that the buildings will not be sold until his Department gets an instruction from this House that they have to sell them?
§ Mr. STURROCKIn deference to the views which prevail amongst hon. Members behind him, will the hon. Member consider the application of Gretna to a scheme of nationalisation of industry?
§ Mr. GRAHAMIf the House will forgive me, I will only say this, especially in view of the auction which must take place next month, that an hon. Member opposite is putting down a question on this subject a night or two hence and on that occasion I intend to make a full statement regarding Gretna.