HC Deb 11 March 1964 vol 691 cc409-10
6. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the result of his consultations with the local planning authority about the disposal of the unused portion of the site of the former Royal Ordnance factory at Swynnerton.

Mr. Kirk

I understand that the county council's planning sub-committee has considered the future use of the former Royal Ordnance factory and is now arranging to meet the Stone Rural District Council soon.

Mr. Swingler

Will not the Under-Secretary recognise that any further delay in this matter is intolerable after the seven years' saga of procrastination about this 700 acres of land sterilised in North Staffordshire, and that all those concerned have had years to consider the matter? Cannot somebody summon up the courage to take a decision now to use this site for a more fruitful purpose for the people of North Staffordshire?

Mr. Kirk

I hope that the decision will be taken very shortly, but I have told the hon. Gentleman before that our job is merely to get rid of the site. We are only too anxious to do that as quickly as possible, and we hope to do so before the end of the year.

Mrs. Slater

Does not the hon. Gentleman know that North Staffordshire Members were promised five years ago that a quick decision would be taken? We appreciate that the War Office might want to get rid of it, but would not a little pushing somewhere hurry the business along? In the meantime, the site is lying idle and deteriorating because it is lying idle. Cannot the hon. Gentleman use a little more energy?

Mr. Kirk

I am well aware of all that. We have used a great deal of energy, but there are many problems connected with the site of which hon. Members are aware. Our main concern is to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

Mr. Swingler

Will the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that after the seven years' delay he will set a time limit for making a decision by somebody to use these 700 acres?

Mr. Kirk

I do not think that we could put a time limit on local authorities, who are very well aware of the difficulty. I hope that they will hurry up and make a decision as quickly as possible.

Mr. Swingler

In view of the nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.