§ 59. Miss Wilkinson (for Mr. Price)asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that steps have been taken to establish a munitions factory at Cheltenham; that the local district council has already protested against the plan as spoiling the amenities of the district; and that within 20 miles of Cheltenham there is the Forest of Dean industrial area with an unemployed population and all the requisites necessary for new industries; and whether he will take immediate steps to inquire into this matter?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI have been asked to reply. There is no proposal to establish a munitions factory at Bishop's Cleeve, near Cheltenham; what is under consideration is an equipment depot, for the storage of material. As regards the last two parts of the question, the Forest 33 of Dean area was carefully considered but the Bishop's Cleeve district was for strategical reasons considered the better site.
§ Miss WilkinsonCan the hon. and gallant Member say whether those strategical reasons also apply to Cheltenham?