HC Deb 24 October 1944 vol 404 c31
70. Mr. Mander

asked the President of the Board of Trade what statement he has to make with reference to a petition to him signed by 101 employees of the British Tool and Engineering Company, Limited, Wolverhampton, protesting against the leasing of factories built by public money to private owners.

Mr. Dalton

I have already made statements on this subject on a number of occasions in this House, the most recent being on Friday last.

Mr. Mander

Is it not possible that some of these factories might be usefully operated by the Government for the manufacture of certain articles required in large quantities by the public, and will he keep an open mind about them?

Mr. Dalton

Yes, Sir, but the position is that those factories, when they are no longer required for Government use, will be dealt with in the manner indicated in the statement I made last Friday. I cannot add to that statement, but perhaps my hon. Friend will let his constituents see it.

Mr. Mander

I have seen it, but will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the possibility of the use of some of these factories handed over by the Government?