asked the Minister of Works whether he can now make a statement on the future of the factory of General Aircraft, Ltd., Feltham, Middlesex.

Consultations are still continuing and I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

Can the Minister say what kind of consultations are taking place; and at the same time can he refute the statement which has been made recently that this factory is to be taken over by the American authorities?

Consultations are taking place between myself and my colleagues. I can make no further statement on other matters.

Does the Minister agree that it would be a pretty poor piece of planning to convert a factory in which many hundreds of locally resident skilled mechanics have been employed into a mere store for his Department?

As consultations are taking place, I cannot make any comment.