§ Mr. G. Brownasked the Minister of Supply what action has been taken to find new work for the Hawker Aircraft Company's Blackpool factory, in accordance with the promise he made recently.
§ Mr. Aubrey JonesWith my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, I have drawn to the attention of a number of companies the facilities available at the Hawker Aircraft Company's Blackpool factory. I regret to say that we have not as yet found a new use for the factory. The company, which has been seeking work wherever it was thought to offer, has also been unsuccessful in finding any.
I have now come to the conclusion that, in view of the reduction in the defence programme, there is no possibility of putting enough defence work 132W to Blackpool to employ the factory. With the company's agreement, therefore, I have asked my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to seek another tenant on the termination of the Hawker Aircraft Company's current programme. If in the interim I or the company should be successful in finding work to keep the factory employed, we shall of course be delighted to leave the present tenancy unbroken.