§ Mr. E. J. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for War the approximate number of persons to be engaged at the Government works at Bridgend; and whether special consideration has been given to the employment of local labour?
§ Sir V. WARRENDERIt is not possible at present to give any precise figures, but, it is not anticipated that the number of persons normally employed at the new factory will exceed a few hundreds, although considerably larger numbers will be required for its actual construction. As regards the second part of the question, one of the grounds for selecting Bridgend as a site for a factory was the provision of employment for local residents. It is contemplated that, in accordance with the usual practice, the labour which the War Department require to enrol will be obtained through the local Employment Exchange, which would give first consideration to local applicants.
§ Mr. E. J. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for War the nature and purpose of the structural operations which the Government is embarking upon at Bridgend?
§ Sir V. WARRENDERI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 26th May last to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for East Woolwich (Mr. Hicks), a copy of which I am sending to him.