Lieut.-Colonel J. R. H. Hutchisonasked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production how many factories the Government propose to operate in Scotland on civilian production; what is the nature of the production; and where are the factories to be situated.
§ Mr. LeonardI understand that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the Royal Ordnance Factories. There were four of these in Scotland, but we have made one available to the Board of Trade for allocation to an industrial firm. The remaining three—at Dalmuir, Bishop-ton, and Irvine—will remain on our permanent peacetime establishment and be used mainly for their primary purpose of munitions production. Where suitable capacity in these three factories still remains available it will be used for the production of essential civil requirements or for the breaking down of war material.