HC Deb 10 May 1939 vol 347 cc460-1
25. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that Brown Bayley's Steel Works, Limited, propose to acquire 50 acres of land at Edale, the heart of the Peak District, in order to manufacture steel for the construction of aeroplanes; and whether he will make it clear that he will withhold contracts from them unless they put their factory on a site where it will not destroy the amenities of one of the most beautiful parts of the country?

Sir K. Wood

My hon. Friend will appreciate that the requirements for steel supplies for Royal Air Force purposes must govern the placing of orders with manufacturers by my Department. The site proposed for these works was not selected by my Department but by the firm concerned and I understand that the proposal to establish the works at Edale has been approved by the development authority under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932. I am, however, looking further into this matter in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, and I propose to see representatives of the firm forthwith.

Mr. Keeling

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether I shall be right in assuming that the prospect of such an offence to public opinion being committed in the name of air defence makes him uncomfortable?

Mr. T. Smith

Will not the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with Brown Bayley to get these steel works erected on some of the sites available in the West Riding of Yorkshire and not spoil the beautiful district of Edale?

Sir K. Wood

I propose to represent to the firm what I have discovered are the feelings of the House and to discuss with them the possibility of an alternative site.

Mr. T. Williams

Will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain the views of the Minister of Agriculture in view of the splendid agricultural land in this area?

Miss Wilkinson

Will the Minister, as a matter of general policy, apart from individual sites, see that these works are put down in the distressed areas where social services already exist?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Will the right hon. Gentleman represent to the firm that there is a storm of strong indignation in the Midlands against this vandalistic proposal?

Mr. Marshall

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the proposed factory is one in respect of which a substantial Government grant is proposed, and if that is the case will he undertake to see that public money is not used to destroy one of the most beautiful places in this country?

Forward to