AIRCRAFT FACTORY (WHITE WALTHAM). (Hansard, 21 January 1937)

56. Mr. W. Joseph Stewart
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a site for the erection of an aircraft factory has been purchased at White Waltham, near Maidenhead; and whether he has any statement to make as to why a site was not chosen in the North-East, or some other Special Area, where there are many available sites suitable for this purpose?

57. Mr. David Adams
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it has yet been finally decided to erect an aircraft factory at White Waltham, near Maidenhead; whether, in accordance with Government policy as to the location of such factories, there are firms carrying on manufactures of an allied nature on or near this site; and, if not, whether he has considered the suitability of utilising one of the numerous vacant factory sites available in the North-Eastern area?

§ Sir P. Sassoon
It has been definitely decided to erect an aircraft factory at White Waltham. Very careful consideration was given by my Noble Friend to the possibility of locating the factory in a Special Area and to the numerous factors involved, but it was found that the delays and disadvantages involved in any alternative site would have seriously prejudiced the prompt success of this enterprise, which is of great importance in the organisation of the Shadow Scheme.

Mr. Stewart
Is it the policy of the Department to build factories in areas such as White Waltham rather than in the Special Areas, where the percentage of unemployment is very high indeed?

§ Sir P. Sassoon
No, Sir, but this particular factory was erected under the Shadow Scheme, and therefore it is essential that it should be placed not only near the aerodrome, but that it should be in close proximity to the managing and parent firms, with easy main line communication.

§ Mr. Lawson
May I ask the Prime Minister whether there is anyone in the Government who takes note of the social condition of the country, other than the particular Department concerned? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the position of great masses of people in certain areas? How much longer is this to go on without notice being taken of it?

§ The Prime Minister
I must have notice of a question of that kind.

§ Mr. Lawson
Surely this is a matter for the Government as a whole, rather than for the Department, in view of the serious nature of this Special Areas question?

§ The Prime Minister
If the hon. Member asks whether the Government are anxious for the provision of work in the Special Areas, the answer is most certainly that we are; but this particular question obviously has reference to matters which involve a great many technical considerations, and without notice I cannot be expected to give an answer.

§ Mr. Annesley Somerville
In view of the fact that this place is in my constituency, and the matter is of essential importance to the constituency, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that there is no labour available in the district, and that the workers, from 3,500 to 5,000 in number, whom it is proposed to employ, would have to be imported; and that it will completely change the character of a purely agricultural district?

§ Mr. Lawson
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer to this question, I beg to give notice that I shall raise it on the Adjournment.