§ 10. Mr. Turnerasked the Secretary of State for War what discussions his Department has had with the local authorities at Leeds and Nottingham regarding the provision of housing for employees of the Royal Ordnance 1283 Factory, Woolwich, accepting employment at the Royal ordnance factories in these two cities.
§ Under-Secretary of State for War (Mr. Peter Kirk)The War Department has had exploratory discussions with the local authorities at Leeds and Nottingham, which are sympathetic but have long waiting lists for council houses. They will, however, allow exchanges between tenants of local authorities now in the Woolwich area and others now in Leeds or Nottingham. There are also possibilities of housing, sponsored by the local authorities, at unsubsidised rents. Discussions with the local authorities will be resumed when we know how many workers wish to transfer.
§ Mr. TurnerDoes my hon. Friend realise that there are many redundant employees at the R.O.F., Woolwich, who are very anxious to remain in Government service and who are prepared to go to Leeds or elsewhere but who have a council house now and cannot get another if they move to a new area? Will he have another look at this matter to see whether there is a way in which to assist these people, who have been in Government service for a long time, to purchase a house?
§ Mr. KirkWe cannot give capital assistance, but legal and other expenses or house purchase are reimbursed within certain limits and excess rent allowance may also be payable. We do not yet know the size of the problem and when we do we will get in touch with the local authorities again.