HC Deb 29 July 1963 vol 682 cc24-5
31. Mr. Steele

asked the Minister of Aviation if he has been able to secure another tenant for the factory which has been vacated by the British Oxygen Company in Dumbarton.

Mr. Marten

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works intends to take this building over. He will use part of it to accommodate a Government training centre which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is setting up in Dumbarton.

Mr. Steele

Would the hon. Gentleman say whether the Ministry of Public Building and Works is responsible for handing this building over to the Ministry of Labour? In view of the importance of this building to Dumbarton, why was not the Board of Trade advised? Surely, since the British Oxygen Company spent £50,000 in fitting out this building as an industrial building, the Board of Trade should have been advised with a view to its being handed to some other industrialist?

Mr. Marten

It is the established policy that when a Government Department has surplus land or buildings to spare, it shall first notify the other Government Departments in case they have a requirement.

Mr. Steele

Is not the Board of Trade a Government Department?

Mr. Marten

Indeed it is.

Mr. Steele

Why was it not advised?