§ 68. Mr. George Jegerasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is aware of the local unemployment which will be caused by the proposed closure of the Ordnance depôt at 128W Barlow; and what are his proposals for the future of the site.
§ Mr. ReynoldsMost of the functions of the Ordnance Sub-Depôt at Barlow will be transferred to a new depôt at Catterick but this is not expected to be ready before 1969. It is, however, planned to retain a small Ordnance depoôt at Barlow thereafter. Of the 300 or so employees who will become redundant at Barlow, some will be found employment in my Department at Catterick and elsewhere, and every effort will be made in consultation with the Ministry of Labour to find other work for such staff as we do not absorb ourselves. In addition, some of the reductions will be achieved by normal wastage.
We are at present considering whether any of the site can be given up when the sub-depôt is closed. If any land is found to be surplus, it will be offered to other Government Departments before disposal action is taken.