§ Mr. Trevor Coxasked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in regard to the number of empty cotton mills and unused factories still in good condition, and to the numbers of unemployed skilled workers in North-East Cheshire, he will consider the possibility of making use of such facilities, in view of the necessity of expanding the defence programme?
§ Sir K. WoodConsiderable use is already being made of the facilities available in North-East Cheshire in connection with the Royal Air Force expansion programme, and there are 14 firms in this area now engaged on sub-contract work on airframes and engines, in addition to two of the main aircraft firms. I regret that there are at present no requirements for which any of the vacant cotton mills or factories referred to by my hon. Friend would be suitable or could be readily adapted without considerable expenditure.