HC Deb 12 February 1968 vol 758 c937
19. Mr. Hooley

asked the Minister of Technology what steps are being taken by his Department to recruit for employment in Great Britain those British engineers who will have to leave Fort Worth because of the cancellation of the contract with General Dynamics for the F111 aircraft.

Mr. Stonehouse

I do not expect the cancellation of this contract to have much effect on any British engineers who may be employed by General Dynamics, but the services of Management Selection International Incorporated, the recruiting agency sponsored for the purpose by my Department, will be available for those who wish to return to this country. We have alerted M.S.L. to this point.

Mr. Hooley

Is my hon. Friend aware that there was a Press report that a considerable number of such people would be free? Does he not think that he should take the same vigorous action to recruit our people who are now in the United States as United States firms take to seize our people over here?

Mr. Stonehouse

That is exactly what we are doing through M.S.L., through whom we have had a number of inquiries for British personnel in the United States who want to come back to the United Kingdom. But the direct staff with General Dynamics who are employed by my Ministry are, of course, being returned to the United Kingdom.