§ Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that his Department has refused an application for a licence to extend a Twickenham factory to enable demands for exports to be satisfied, in spite of the fact that labour or materials suitable for housing will not be used; and whether, in view of the vital importance of increasing exports, he will reconsider the matter.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe factory in question is in the London area, where I cannot authorise new building except of the most vital and urgent nature while so much382W work remains to be done to repair and reinstate war damaged premises. I am fully alive to the importance of increasing exports, but would point out that there are many industrial buildings destroyed or damaged during the war which cater for the export market and which would have a prior claim on the type of labour and materials which would be used for this work.