HC Deb 05 July 1965 vol 715 cc178-9W
Mr. Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to explore the extent to which the buildings formerly used by the Royal Air Force Maintenance Unit at Heywood can be used by other Government or industrial concerns, in order to provide employment for a similar number of people as are at present engaged at the maintenance depot.

Mr. Millan

The uses to which the site and buildings at Heywood can be put after the Royal Air Force Maintenance Unit closes in 1967 are already being examined. If there is no further Ministry of Defence need for the site, it will be offered to other Government Departments. If it is found that there is no further Government requirement for it, the site will be disposed of, in which case the Board of Trade and other interested Departments and regional bodies will be consulted about the best use to which the site and buildings can be put.

Mr. Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the special difficulties with regard to house purchase of those being made redundant at the Royal Air Force Maintenance Unit at Heywood, if he will provide special assistance to those being offered alternative jobs in the South.

Mr. Millan

In accordance with normal practice, every effort will be made to help those who may be offered employment in other areas, but the situation is not so exceptional as to justify the authorisation of special compensation payments over and above those which are made to other civil servants in similar situations. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement of my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury during the adjournment debate on a similar case on the 4th June, 1965.

Mr. Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that special consideration will be given to those being made redundant at the Royal Air Force Maintenance Unit in Heywood, when vacancies arise in other Departments in the area.

Mr. Millan

In accordance with normal practice and subject to the requirements of the service, every effort will be made to enable those who will become redundant at Heywood to move to other Government Departments in the area which have suitable vacancies.