§ 4. Brigadier Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for War when he proposes to make an announcement about the future of the Command Ordnance Depôt. Hilsea.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Command Ordnance Depôt will be closed by the beginning of April and the staff were so informed in October. The possibility of using Hilsea for another Army establishment later in the year is now being examined. I will give my hon. and gallant Friend more information about this as soon as possible.
§ Brigadier ClarkeDoes my right hon. Friend know that for one year it has been decided that this depôt should close, and that a large number of people will be unemployed if he does not make up his mind very soon about how he will treat this depôt in future?
§ Mr. SoamesThe future of this depôt has been uncertain for about a year. I hope that the matter will be resolved by Christmas and that I will be able to inform my hon. and gallant Friend.