93. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether it is intended to transfer to the Manchester area the locomotive building works from Scotswood-on-Tyne in favour of munition manufacture in the last named district; what steps are proposed when munition work is ended to compensate Tyneside for the enforced loss of the locomotive building industry; and has he explored the possibility of retaining both forms of industry upon Tyneside?
§ Sir T. InskipI am not aware of any such intended transfer as is referred to in the first part of the question. As regards the rest of the question, I have understood that there was no certainty of continuance of the locomotive work at Scotswood, and it seems to me that the balance of advantage to Tyneside clearly lies with the scheme proposed by the Government, more particularly as it involves a large increase in the openings for labour at Scotswood. As regards the future, I should not be prepared at this moment to make any forecast since the matter must depend on conditions as then existing.
Mr. AdamsDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that if these works are transferred to Manchester it will mean a serious loss to engineering on the Tyneside?
§ Sir T. InskipThere is no proposal to transfer them from Scotswood to Manchester, and I am informed that there is no prospect at present of any repetition of an order for locomotives to be constructed at Scotswood.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a definite statement was made on behalf of the National Government candidate in the Gorton by-election, in order to try to win that election, that this transfer was to take place?