HC Deb 06 May 1952 vol 500 cc165-6
11. Mrs. Barbara Castle

asked the Minister of Labour what consultations he has had with the Minister of Supply and the First Lord of the Admiralty to ensure that normal defence contracts are placed in areas of unemployment like Blackburn.

Sir W. Monckton

From an early stage of the defence programme it has been the practice for my Department to advise the Admiralty and the Ministry of Supply from time to time of areas where labour is available for their guidance in placing defence contracts.

Mrs. Castle

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of confusion about the basis on which these two Departments, particularly the Admiralty, are placing their defence contracts? Will he consider setting up an inter-Departmental committee under the chairmanship of his own Department to bring about a co-ordinated direction of contracts to the areas where they are most needed?

Sir W. Monckton

We shall do all we can to encourage the closest contact. In the industries most concerned with Blackburn it has been taking place within the past few weeks, and is still taking place.

Mrs. Castle

is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that I have received very contradictory replies from the Admiralty as to the basis on which they place their normal defence contracts, first saying that they cannot place them in Blackburn because there is no skilled labour and then that they cannot do it because there is not sufficient unemployment?

Sir W. Monckton

I must take what comfort I can from the fact that the ambiguity comes from another Department. I am sure that the hon. Lady will put her question to that Department.

Mr. Osborne

Can my right hon. and learned Friend say why hon. Members opposite who are semi-pacifists are depending on re-armament for full employment?

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that in Nelson there is a perfectly good and quite modern factory eminently suitable for some alternative trade to relieve unemployment in the cotton industry in the possession of the Admiralty and used by them purely for storage purposes? Could the Minister make representations to his right hon. Friend to release these premises and make them available for employment in this area?

Sir W. Monckton

I have heard of that particular factory from certain hon. Members and I will remind my right hon. Friend of the possibility of putting it to better use.