HC Deb 08 April 1946 vol 421 c1632
65. Captain Francis Noel-Baker

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that his Department have been in correspondence with the hon. and gallant Member for Brentford and Chiswick on the subject of the derequisitioning of Messrs. 20th Century Productions factory in Chiswick since 13th September; that on 3rd December his Department promised to fix a date for de-requisitioning before the end of last year; and whether he will now take immediate and final action in this matter.

Mr. Belcher

The hon. and gallant Member has been informed in correspondence of the circumstances in which derequisitioning of the factory of Messrs. 20th Century Productions has been postponed. The work now being carried out in these premises meets an essential Service requirement in connection with the saving of life at sea Immediate Service demands prevented release of the factory in December and recurrent breakdown in the supply of an essential material, of which there is only one source of supply in the United Kingdom, has hindered production. The Supply Department concerned expects to be in a position in June to determine whether the 20th Century premises can be released by the end of September, 1946. No alternative capacity for this essential production exists in the country.