48. Miss Wardasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence how many new factories it is proposed to build in connection with the rearmament programme; and how many of these will be situated in the Special Areas?
§ The Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip)It is not at present possible to say how many factories it will be necessary to build for the purposes of the defence programme. The White Paper (Cmd. 5386) indicates the extent to which consideration has already been given in this connection to the Special Areas, and the Government propose to continue this policy as and when the occasion arises.
§ Mr. PalingWill the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that there are areas not included in the Special Areas which are equally hard hit with unemployment, and will he also bear in mind that, in answer to a question a fortnight ago, he admitted that not a single factory had been put down in the whole of Yorkshire?
§ 53. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether it is proposed to establish any more aircraft or other factories; and, if so, will he bear in mind the heavy rate of unemployment in the Wigan coal area?
§ Sir T. InskipThere is no present intention to establish further aircraft factories. Factories for other purposes will, however, be required, and consideration will be given to the Wigan area in this connection.
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsWill my right hon. Friend give an undertaking not to arrange for the establishment of any factory in the constituency of a Member who votes against the Defence Estimates?
§ 64. Mr. E. Dunnasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he is aware that the bricks being used in the construction of the Chorley munition factory are being purchased from the Fletton brickfields, whilst unemployment is prevailing in the brickfields of Lancashire and Yorkshire; and will he state what he proposes to do in the matter?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. R. S. Hudson)(for the First Commissioner of Works): No, Sir. I am informed that the bricks being used in the construction of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Chorley are being obtained by the contractor from brickfields in Lancashire.
§ Mr. HicksWill the Minister see whether it is possible, in view of the large unemployment among stonemasons, to use local stone, when it is available, instead of brick?