Royal Ordnance Factory, Swynnerton

HC Deb 27 February 1958 vol 583 c522

14. Mr. Swingler

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make a statement about the disposal of the Royal Ordnance factory, Swynnerton, and the measures being taken to bring new industry to North Staffordshire.

Sir D. Eccles

No use has yet been found for the factory and site at Swynnerton. The facilities for establishing new industry in North Staffordshire continue to be brought to the notice of industrialists.

Mr. Swingler

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that while, comparatively speaking, a good job has been done for the redundant workers in Swynnerton, there is still a hard core unemployment problem in North Staffordshire and that it is very important that this site, or some site nearby, should be utilised for bringing new industry into the area which has had higher than national average unemployment for a considerable time?

Sir D. Eccles

I will continue my efforts, but it is rather difficult to dispose of a filling factory.