I'LL EXPLAIN
NANCECUKE
SHUT-DOWN
-MINISTER

STAFF at Nancekuke, the Ministry of Defence
chemical research establishment, will soon be
given “reasonably detailed information " on
why it is to close. Mr David Mudd. Fa!mouth-
Camborne MP, has been promised by Mr.
William Rodgers. Defence Minister.

Following the closure announcement in the
Defence Review, Mr. Mudd has been pressing for
the Government’s reasons, the estimated savings
and for undertakings fir the future of the
Nancekuke staff.

He has been told by Mr Rodgers that
consultations regarding chemical defence have
taken place with Britain's allies.

The Government had always kept the need
for maintaining Nancekuke under review, Mr
Rogers told Mr Mudd " The special natural
and other facilities of Nancekuke as a site are
fully appreciated.

PUBLIC SPENDING

“Even more is the expertise and combination
of skills in the staff not all of which will be lost
I must emphasise that this closure arose simply
from the need to save public expenditure and to
adjust resources in this area of activity closer
to present needs.”

Mr Rodgers said he was con
scious of the high level of unem-
ployment in the area an hoped
that the target date for closure
would enable full consultations to
reduce the actual loss of jobs.

Some redundancy is likely to
occur, Mr Rodgers confirmed
“But because of the timing if is
hoped there will have been an im:
provement in the economic and
employment position by then”.

? Referring to the disposal of
the site he said it would be
rendered safe and initially offered
to any other interested govern-
ment department and the tocal
authority before being offered for
public acquisition