§ 25. Mr. CARTLANDasked the Secretary of State for War when his Department will take possession of the land recently purchased at Waterton Court Farm, Bridgend; and whether, apart from buildings for manufacturing purposes, houses will be erected on the site?
Mr. COOPERThe War Department will take possession of part of the farm at the end of the December quarter, and of the remainder as the construction of the factory proceeds. No houses will be erected on the factory site generally, other than those required for the resident managerial staff and for persons necessarily resident for the safe custody of the factory.
§ 26. Mr. CARTLANDasked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department, before purchasing Water-ton Court Farm, Bridgend, consulted the district commissioner for South Wales as to the suitability of this land in relation to other possible sites for the purpose in view?
Mr. COOPERThe War Department did not consult the district commissioner for South Wales, but the site to be selected was exhaustively considered by a committee on which all Departments concerned were represented. I may add that it was essential that the site should possess certain features which are not commonly present together. In view of the obvious desirability of having a factory in South Wales the district was thoroughly explored and a suitable site was found near Bridgend after several other sites in the Special Area had been examined and found unsuitable.
§ Mr. CARTLANDWill my right hon. Friend consider making a rather fuller statement than he has done—though I thank him for that—because there is a certain amount of discussion going on in the area as to why this particular site was purchased?