§ 38. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for War what machinery he has established with the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government for co-ordinating plans for the disposal of the former Royal Ordnance factory site as Swynnerton.
§ Mr. ProfumoMy Department is in consultation with the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government regarding the future of the former Royal Ordnance factory at Swynnerton.
§ Mr. SwinglerCan the right hon. Gentleman say how long his Department has been in such consultation? Is he aware that the Board of Trade is supposed to be developing industry on this site, but that it is refusing applications from industry on the ground that the Minister of Housing and Local Government is discussing setting up a new town there? The Minister of Housing refuses to reveal his secrets, and his Department is doing nothing. Would it not be possible to get these consultations going towards providing something for the people of north Staffordshire?
§ Mr. ProfumoThe question of new towns is one for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the inquiries received are being considered, and I most certainly shall not delay the disposal unnecessarily.