asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now state the future of the Squires Gate Factory, Blackpool.

It is our intention that this factory should as far as possible continue to be used for production and every effort is being made to find a suitable occupier. As the hon. Member is aware, however, these buildings are of a special type which renders them unsuitable for ordinary industrial purposes.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give me some assurance that he really is trying to get a move on in finding somebody who would be suitable to occupy these premises, bearing in mind, first, that the factory is a Government factory, secondly, that it became clear a year ago that Vickers were going to leave this factory on the conclusion of the temporary housing programme, and, thirdly, that 3,000 men are now unemployed?

I will certainly give that assurance. As the hon. Gentleman knows, a considerable number of applicants are at present being considered, but we cannot force these applicants to go into the factory.