§ 39. Mr. Pagetasked the Minister of Aviation when he proposes to vacate the factory premises in Gladstone Road, Northampton, which he is at present using as a store, since this factory is urgently needed to provide employment.
§ Mr. RipponWe are not proposing to vacate the premises. They are needed to meet an important storage requirement, for which they are well suited.
§ Mr. PagetIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a factory in a new planned industrial area to serve a new housing estate, and that for his Department to sterilise a factory in this area which could give employment to 300 or 400 people indefinitely is quite outrageous and would not be allowed in any civil organisation?
§ Mr. RipponThe position is that machine tools require good accommodation, and there is no room for them 27 in other suitable depots. We appreciate that the factory has good productive possibilities, but it is imperative that these premises should be retained.