§ Lieut.-Colonel Bolesasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Towns End Field, Shepton Mallet, is still under requisition by his Department, but has not been used since the beginning of this year; that an industrial concern has been endeavouring to obtain possession of it with a view to immediate production in the temporary buildings now standing on this site; and whether, in view 113W of the unemployment in the Shepton Mallet area prior to 1939 and the present lack of industry there, he will give the matter of derequisitioning it his immediate attention.
§ Mr. LawsonThe War Department no longer requires either the land or the buildings on it. It now rests with the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Works to decide how the land and the buildings shall be finally disposed of. I understand that arrangements for these premises to be taken over for industrial use are reaching finality and it is probable that the manufacturers will be able to go into occupation at an early date.