§ 12. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Supply what progress has been made in the disposal of the factory and site of the Royal Ordnance factory at Swynnerton.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesI have sought the views of the Staffordshire County Council, which is the planning authority for the county, on the future use of the factory site. The county council, after consulting the Stone Urban and Rural District Councils, is of the opinion that some of the land should be returned to agriculture, but the bulk of the site should 8 be put to industrial use, and it has invited the Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent city councils to discuss how future use on these lines could best be achieved.
§ Mr. SwinglerWill the Minister give every possible assistance to these local authorities? Is he aware that the need for new industry in north Staffordshire is recognised because of the comparatively high level of unemployment—especially in Newcastle-under-Lyme, where it is 3½ per cent.? Will he, therefore, give every assistance to local authorities in time to attract useful industry to this site?