§ 102. Mr. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the concern felt by the 300 people employed at Barlow Ordnance Depot on account of the uncertainty of its future, and its possible removal to Catterick; and if he will make a statement on his plans for the depot's future.
§ Mr. ProfumoAs announced to the staff in September, 1962, most of the functions of the Ordnance Sub-Depot at Barlow will eventually be transferred to a new depot which is to be built at Catterick and which should be completed by 1966. This will enable us to concentrate in one place the tasks now being carried out in several depots, and will lead to increased efficiency and economy.
I expect up to 300 employees to become redundant at Barlow in due course. Some of these will be found employment in my Department at Catterick and elsewhere, and every effort will be made, in 61W consultation with the Ministry of Labour, to find other work for such temporary staff as we cannot absorb ourselves.