HC Deb 05 April 1965 vol 710 cc23-4
28. Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what considerations he will take into account in reaching a decision concerning the Joint Anti-Submarine Training School at Londonderry.

Mr. Mayhew

The Government will take into account not only the military and financial arguments but also the social and economic aspects.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

As we have now heard both the strategic and economic arguments many times, will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind especially that his decision could add 30 per cent. to the already high existing unemployment figure? Will he do everything he can to bring the whole argument to a conclusion as rapidly and as satisfactorily as possible?

Mr. Mayhew

I cannot accept the 30 per cent. figure, which I have seen used before. It is based on the assumption that we employ more than 600 civilians in the school who would then be unemployed. In fact the school employs only about 260, of whom more than 100 are established.