§ Col. Lancasterasked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement about the future of the tank factory at Farington, Lancashire.
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§ Mr. MaudlingI have come to the conclusion, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Defence and the Secretary of State for War, that the likely volume of armament requirements does not justify the retention of this factory by my Department, particularly in view of the pressing need to make the fullest possible use of existing capital resources for the benefit of the national economy. Negotiations have been completed for its sale to the Leyland Motor Company, which is operating the tank factory as agents of the Ministry. The company has informed me that it intends to expand its export business in commercial vehicles, and the transfer of the factory will be arranged in such a way as to safeguard as far as possible continuity of employment.