HC Deb 09 December 1970 vol 808 c398
9. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply to what extent he estimates the proposed closure of the Chandos Road factory of Rotax Limited and the redundancy of the staff there recently will affect the supply of aircraft as planned and foreseen by his Department.

Mr. David Price

The company is cooperating closely with my Department in order to prevent any adverse effect on our aircraft programmes.

Mr. Pavitt

Has the redundancy of 700 men, most of them my constituents, anything to do with the cancellation of the BAC311? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the electrical systems have been done in my constituency, and that these men, who form a very good team, won the Queen's Award less than a year ago? Can the hon. Gentleman do something to keep this factory in being?

Mr. Price

The short answer is "No". The firm found itself short of both civil and military orders and, as the hon. Gentleman knows better than I do, it is concentrating its activities on other factories.