NEW AIR FACTORY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 145, 22 June 1938, Page 4

NEW AIR FACTORY

NUFFIELD SEEKS SITE

LAND IN BIRMINGHAM

Application has been made on behalf of Viscount Nuffield to the Birmingham Corporation for the sale of a 120-acre site near the Dunlop works which the Corporation itself proposed to develop, said the "Daily Telegraph and Morning Post" on May 28. Lord Nuffield proposes to erect a huge faptory for work of national importance. The application follows closely on his announcement that he is to build air frames for the Government's air expansion scheme. The matter will be raised at the council, and in the event of agreement, an immediate start will be made with the erection of the factory. A sum of £3,000,000 is mentioned as the cost of the site, building, and plant. The Corporation are not anxious to make a profit out of the sale of the land, but are prepared to sell to Lord Nuffield at the figure they gave for it plus the expense? incurred. It may be that the matter of price will be referred to the district valuer.

The land was previously owned by the Dunlop-Rubber Company and was sold to the Corporation in recent years. It was then decided that two-thirds should be scheduled for housing and one-third for industrial undertakings. When the matter is discussed the council will be asked to revise their decision as to the two-thirds for housing. PROPOSALS MADE. Mr. Boden, Lord Nuffield's right-hand man, had an interview with the City Surveyor of Birmingham, when he placed Lord Nuffield's proposals before him. The Deputy City Surveyor, Mr. D. G. Bevan, said: "I have no doubt -the scheme will come to fruition. It may be that Lord Nuffield will purchase another 60 acres now owned .by the Dunlop Company. This land is adjacent to the site they wish to purchase from us."

Should the proposed factory mature it would be in the heart of Birmingham's industrial undertakings, with the Castle Bromwich R.A.F. Aerodrome near at hand. Two air shadow factories are already in production in Birmingham, one attached to the Austin works and the other to the Rover works.

In the event of Lord Nuffield using the proposed factory for the production of air frames he would have little difficulty in providing the skilled labour. When he closed his air factory in Birmingham about eighteen months ago, following his dispute'with the Air Ministry, the majority of the skilled air mechanics were taken into his Wolseley motor works. They would be at liberty for his new venture. ■

Lord Austin said he would welcome Lord Nuffield to Birmingham, which was probably the best place for such work. "I do* not think he will find any difficulty in obtaining all the necessary labour he requires," added Lord Austin. . . ARMS SPEED-UP. I understand that the plan for a- tripartite committee of employers and workers in the arms industry and representatives of Government Departments may be considered at a meeting of the Cabinet and by the National Committee of the Amalgamated Engineering Union, writes the same newspaper's industrial correspondent. The Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions, some of whose leaders have been discussing a similar project for some 'time, may shortly review the situation ,in the light of the new development.

The scheme, which was suggested during Downing Street conversations between the Prime Minister and members of the Trades Union Congress General Council, was favourably received in trade union circks. It was generally agreed that the proposal had smoothed the way to co-operation and good will between the Government and the unions.

The Trades Union Congress General Council will not be directly represented on the suggested committee.