§ 70. Mr. G. Macdonaldasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence the number of Government factories in 923 connection with the rearmament programme established in Lancashire; the number of persons employed; and what percentage of those employed have been recruited locally?
§ The Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip)Two Government factories are being established in Lancashire in connection with the rearmament programme. Both these factories are under construction and no persons are at present being employed except in the work of construction. The third part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. MacdonaldCan the Minister say whether, as regards the work of construction, men are being brought in from outside the locality to do such work when there are unemployed men in the locality?
§ Sir T. InskipIn the larger undertaking every effort is being made to obtain as many men as possible through the local employment exchanges. I assure the hon. Member that full importance is being attached to the question of getting local labour.
§ Mr. MacdonaldIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, although there are scores of unemployed men in those areas, people from outside the areas, and even from outside this country, are being brought in to do the work?