§ 39. Mr. C. Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Air how many civilian transport workers are being declared redundant at the Royal Air Force Station, Valley; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. George Ward)We had a surplus of nine driven, but most of them have been found other work. We shall probably have to discharge three.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Secretary of State aware that it is extremely discouraging when Government Departments create redundancies in an area where there is a high level of unemployment, and will he look at the matter again to see what he can do to keep these men at work and, indeed, to create more work for the unemployed men in the district, as there are no alternative sources of employment?
§ Mr. WardWe are still trying to find work for the other three men, but I am afraid that the prospects do not look very good at the moment. As regards the second part of the supplementary question, the hon. Gentleman knows, I think, that we envisage this airfield playing an important part in our long-term plans.