§ 7. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Labour what effects the proposed closure of the Walton-on-Thames film studio will have on local employment and on employment in the film industry nationally.
§ Mr. P. ThomasThe Walton studios closed on 15th January this year.
Out of about 150 discharged, about 40 registered as unemployed at the Weybridge Employment Exchange; 18 of these are still so registered. I have no information as to the remainder, but the prospects of their reabsorption into industry in the area in which they live are good.
§ Mr. SwinglerIn spite of that Answer, will the Parliamentary Secretary undertake to consult the Board of Trade about the possibility, which still exists, of saving this studio for the film industry's production capacity? Is he aware that the number of film studios in Britain which have been closed in the last ten years has seriously jeopardised the industry's production capacity? As there is still a possibility of the Government 7 intervening to save this studio, will the hon. Gentleman consult the Board of Trade to try to persuade it to take some action so that these technicians can be re-employed in their own industry?
§ Mr. ThomasMy right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is well aware of the position, because the hon. Member asked him some Questions about it the other day. We do not expect any difficulty about finding suitable employment for the people affected by the closure of the Walton-on-Thames studio.