§ 25. Mr. C. Royleasked the Minister of Aviation why he transferred the production of rocket motors from the Royal Ordnance Factory, Patricroft, wholly to Bristol Aerojet Limited; and what effect this will have on employment at Patricroft.
§ Mr. MartenTwo sources of production of welded rocket motor tubes are no longer justified by the foreseeable demand. Production is to be concentrated at Bristol Aerojet Limited, because they undertake research and development work which cannot be dissociated from the manufacture of these tubes and for which the Royal Ordnance Factory at Patricroft is not equipped and organised. As the run-down of the orders on the Royal Ordnance Factory will be gradual, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War hopes to be able to avoid redundancy resulting from this decision.