HC Deb 20 December 1971 vol 828 cc1101-2
20. Mr. Barry Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to make an official visit to Broughton, Flintshire.

Mr. Peter Thomas

I have no immediate plans to visit Broughton.

Mr. Jones

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that if he did visit Broughton he would realise that 250 aircraft workers at Hawker Siddeley were made redundant earlier this year? Would he not agree, therefore, that it would be a good thing for the district of Broughton and for the 5,000 employees of Hawker Siddeley if he would urge his Cabinet colleagues to put an order to Hawker Siddeley for, say, two squadrons of Nimrod aircraft?

Mr. Peter Thomas

Certainly I am very much aware of the importance of Hawker Siddeley to Chester and the Broughton area. Questions about aircraft production ought to be directed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. All I can say is that the Hawker Siddeley factory at the moment appears to be going very well.