§ Mr. E. Rowlandsasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what discussions he has had with Rolls-Royce Limited, Maesycoed Road, Llanishen, Cardiff, concerning the proposed closure of the factory which they occupy as tenants of his Department;
(2) what assurances he required Rolls-Royce (Bristol Engines) to give to their employees at the Maesycoed factory, Llanishen, Cardiff, when they took over the tenancy; and whether he is satisfied that these assurances have been fulfilled;
(3) what efforts he is making to find a suitable tenant for the Maesycoed factory, Llanishen, Cardiff, which is being vacated by Rolls-Royce Limited;
(4) when he was informed of the proposed closure of Rolls-Royce Limited, Maesycoed Road, Llanishen, Cardiff;
(5) what assurances he sought concerning future employment and expansion of the factory at Maesycoed Road, Llanishen, Cardiff, when Rolls-Royce Limited took over the premises as a tenant of his Department;
(6) whether he has been notified when Rolls-Royce Limited, Maesycoed, Llanishen, Cardiff, intend to vacate their factory.
§ Mr. DellThere was no preliminary discussion with Rolls-Royce and the Board of Trade on the closing of this factory but my Office for Wales was informed of the proposed closure on the same day as the Unions concerned. It 289W is not the practice of the Board to require firms occupying their factories to give assurance to their employees, nor can a firm in such circumstances be expected to enter into binding agreements with the Board about future levels of employment. Every effort will be made to find another occupant for the factory when the firm have vacated it.