§ 2. Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Aviation what representations he has received regarding the future of the Vickers Armstrong's factory near Swindon; what steps he is taking to ensure that there will be continuity of employment at this factory and that it will revert to its proper function of producing aircraft; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aviation (Mr. Geoffrey Rippon)Apart from a note from the hon. Member, containing an extract from a statement by a shop stewards Committee, my right hon. Friend has as yet received no representations on this subject. The use to which this factory will be put when the current order for naval aircraft is completed is a matter for the management to decide.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerYes, Sir, but is the hon. Gentleman and his right hon. Friend the Minister aware that, in fact, there is very great anxiety both among 3 the men engaged on this work and also on the part of the management that this factory is now turning over from aircraft production to other jobs, that there is the danger of skilled teams of trained technicians being broken up and lost, as is happening elsewhere, and also great anxiety that if more Vanguards are not sold quickly the firm will not break even on them, and there is a danger of the VC10 missing the market? Can I have an assurance that the hon. Gentleman and his right hon. Friend will be looking very carefully at the position?
§ Mr. RipponWe are not here concerned with the production of the VC10. As to the other general observations which the hon. Gentleman has made, I am bound to say, of course, that the allocation of work by a firm to its particular factories is a matter for the firm. We have no reason to expect any redundancy here.