HC Deb 16 May 1960 vol 623 cc98-100W
Mrs. Braddock

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that instructions have now been issued to the Royal Ordnance Factory, Fazakerley, Liverpool, to commence closure in June and to complete it by approximately December, whether he will look at the position again in order to ensure that the run-down is geared to recruitment to the new industries now being established on Merseyside.

Mr. Soames

I sympathise with the hon. Member's suggestion but there will be no work for the factory to do when its present orders have been completed.

Mrs. Braddock

asked the Secretary of State for War how many employees at present at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Fazakerley, Liverpool, are over 50 years of age.

Mr. Soames

Five hundred and seventy-five.

Mrs. Braddock

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the great difficulties of employees over 50 years of age in obtaining alternative employment, what special arrangements he has made to ensure that employees in this age group at the Royal Ordance Factory, Fazakerley, are not made permanently redundant.

Mr. Soames

Established employees will be offered other Government employment, subject to the terms of an agreement with the trade unions. I will send a copy of the agreement to the hon. Member. I am afraid that unestablished staff must be discharged as the factory runs down. A temporary office of the Ministry of Labour is being set up in the factory to help them to find other work.