HC Deb 20 February 1957 vol 565 cc428-30
45. Miss Burton

asked the Prime Minister whether the statement made by the Minister of Supply on 8th February last to a delegation from the Blackpool Town Council, that he would do his best to find alternative work for the factory of Hawker Aircraft, Blackpool, Limited, so that the hardship caused by the decline in Service orders for military aircraft might be mitigated, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

The Secretary of State to the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I have been asked to reply. The statement made by my right hon. Friend on 8th February has my right hon. Friend's full approval.

Miss Burton

While being very glad at last to get that on the record, might I ask the Lord Privy Seal if he is aware that in Coventry the Armstrong-Whitworth Aircraft Company during the next few months is to have 600 workers declared redundant because of the cuts in defence orders? Is he aware that, apart from that, we now have more than 3,000 out of work, an increase of 500 in the past month? Will he say if some attention could be given to directing work to Coventry?

Mr. Butler

The Minister of Supply is responsible for procuring supplies for the Armed Forces, and the chances of finding work are somewhat limited by the requirements of the Services. I thought perhaps the hon. Lady would refer to Coventry following this Question. I will discuss the matter with my right hon. Friend.

Mr. G. Brown

As the statement made by the Minister of Supply to the town council of Blackpool appears to be in flat contradiction to the statement he made in this House a fortnight ago on the question of finding alternative work, will the Lord Privy Seal also discuss with his right hon. Friend this contradiction in the statements made by the Minister of Supply inside and outside this House and try to co-ordinate them or try to get the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to do so?

Mr. Butler

I am quite satisfied that the statement made about the Blackpool factory in response to the deputation represents the policy of the Government and is endorsed by the Prime Minister.

Sir R. Robinson

Will not my right hon. Friend agree that, whatever the implications of the Question and the supplementary questions, it, is the wish of the Government to secure full employment in the engineering industry, be it in Blackpool or in Coventry? With that in mind, does he agree that the Minister of Supply is right in trying to secure that the whole resources of the Government are behind efforts to try to continue work in this factory?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir, and that is why my right hon. Friend made the reply he did.

Mr. G. Brown

In view of the fact that the Minister of Supply said the exact opposite in this House, how is the House to know when he is speaking for the Prime Minister and when he is not?

Mr. Butler

I have just assured the House that the statement made on the question of this factory has the full approval of my right hon. Friend and the Government.

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