§ 25. Miss Burtonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether, as a result of further examination, he is able to reconsider his decision not to give a general direction to the British Transport Commission asking them to give special consideration when placing contracts in connection with the Modernisation Programme of British Railways to the needs of localities where there is present unemployment and unused production capacity.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo, Sir. I have examined what the hon. Lady said on 20th February, but I am afraid I can find no reason to change the reply I then gave her.
§ Miss BurtonAs the right hon. Gentleman said he would examine what was said to him on that date, may I ask whether it is at all likely that any of this Modernisation Programme may go to Coventry, where there are skilled men who have been turned off defence work and where there are excellent facilities?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI understand that some discussions have taken place with one firm which, if not in Coventry, is 390 associated with Coventry. I think the conclusions arising from them are not yet finalised. As I said on the previous occasion, it is my wish that the British Transport Commission should help whenever it can by placing orders in areas where there are unemployment difficulties.