§ 45. Sir L. Lyleasked the Minister of Production whether it is now the policy of the Government to move factories identified with specific towns to other parts of the country for the relief of local unemployment?
§ Mr. LytteltonThe policy of His Majesty's Government in this matter was clearly stated by me in a reply given to the right hon. Member of Wakefield (Mr. Greenwood) on 14th October. I then stated that the measures I was taking in consultation with my colleagues were designed to spread the demand for resources, including labour, more evenly by transferring the key personnel and plant of selected undertakings out of the congested areas. In conformity with this policy, it may, on occasion, be necessary to move plant and key personnel of factories identified with specific towns to other parts of the country.
§ Sir L. LyleWill my right hon. Friend give us an assurance that this will be confined to industries necessary to the war and will not be the object of many well-intentioned post-war planners to indulge in highly controversial war-time measures?
§ Mr. LytteltonYes, Sir. I did hot use the word "industries." I laid stress on the word "undertakings." Any transfer will only be for war purposes.
§ Major PetherickWould my right hon. Friend resist any further request for the removal of the ancient industry of bureaucracy from London?