Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has considered, or will consider, the question of establishing an aircraft factory in Durham County, near to Usworth, where there is plenty of land available for sites and where there are aerodromes and direct access to a flying ground for the testing of aircraft?
§ Sir P. SassoonI note what the hon. Member says in regard to the advantages of the Usworth area, but apart from the factory for which a site is now being sought in Lancashire, no schemes are at present under consideration for the establishment of additional airframe shadow factories.
§ Mr. Simmondsasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps the Government has taken to prevent the present aircraft industry being dislocated by the withdrawal of their skilled labour by the shadow factories?
§ Sir P. SassoonActive consideration is being given to the problems connected with the supply of skilled labour to which the rapid expansion of the aircraft industry gives rise, and I hope that, with the collaboration of all the interests concerned, satisfactory solutions will be found. All possible steps to that end are being and will be taken.