HC Deb 28 June 1966 vol 730 cc1570-1
24. Mr. Fitt

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will take steps to establish in Belfast a machine-tool factory owned by the United Kingdom Government.

Mr. Cousins

I have no plans for doing this at the present time.

Mr. Fitt

In view of the high rate of unemployment which obtains in this sector of the United Kingdom, and especially in view of the impending closure of Short Bros, and Harland, does not the Minister consider that the time is now opportune to diversify, in line with the suggestion contained in the Question?

Mr. Cousins

That supplementary question is slightly different from the original Question. Proposals for the diversification of activities of Short Bros, and Harland are under consideration by my right hon. Friend the First Secretary, to whom any Question on this subject might more properly be addressed.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Is the Minister aware that the recent experience of a Government-owned factory in Belfast was not a happy one for the workers in the industry in question?

Mr. Cousins

I should have thought that in some cases it had been quite a happy one, too, for some of the workers in Belfast.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Does the Minister recall that eighteen months ago his right hon. Friend the First Secretary said in this House that he would encourage a British machine factory to set up an organisation in Northern Ireland? What has been done about it? Is it just another empty promise?

Mr. Cousins

I suggest that the hon. Member addresses a Question about that to my right hon. Friend the First Secretary. I have just referred to the fact that the diversification of Short Bros, and Harland is a matter for my right hon. Friend.