§ Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has reached any conclusions upon the case recently presented to him by a deputation representing the Scottish Development Council, the Commissioner for the Special Areas in Scotland, and the corporation of Glasgow, with regard to the claims of Scotland for the provision of an aeroplane factory and other Air Force orders?
§ Sir K. WoodThe representations advanced by the deputation which recently waited upon me have had my most careful consideration. As explained to the deputation it is not practicable to consider the establishment of an additional central aeroplane factory, but arrangements are being made for the establishment of a Repair Depot at Abbotsinch.
This step will be supplemental to special action which has already been taken whereby the existing arrangements for aeroplane manufacture in Scotland will be expanded to provide for widespread sub-contracting. A large number of firms are already engaged on such sub-contracts and I am taking steps to ensure that the list of firms submitted by the deputation will be carefully considered in this connection. In so far as suitable capacity cannot be utilised in this way, firms will be invited to submit proposals for the manufacture of aircraft component parts. I am in communication with the Lord Provost of Glasgow with a view to arranging facilities for the local exhibition of patterns as a first step and am hopeful that the scheme will provide a valuable means of expanding aircraft manufacture in Scotland.
§ Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that of 264 contracts placed by his Department during October only seven were placed with Scottish firms; whether this proportion is typical of the distribution of Air Ministry orders during the past two years; and whether it is his intention to offer to Scotland any larger part in 438W meeting the air defence requirements of the nation?
§ Sir K. WoodIt is not in the public interest to publish details of many of the contracts placed by the Air Ministry, so that the figures quoted by my hon. Friend do not therefore fully represent the actual position. Records of contracts are not maintained on a geographical basis except in the case of the Special Areas, and I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the question is not available. Scotland is, however, already making a considerable contribution to the air defence programme and special arrangements are being made with a view to increasing this contribution.