§ 41. Sir E. CORNWALLasked the Minister of Munitions how many Government munition factories there are now in full working order, including those brought into existence since the outbreak of war; and whether the output in quantity, quality, and cost compares favourably in each respect with the output from controlled establishments?
§ Dr. ADDISONIt would be inadvisable to give the actual figures, but a large proportion of the Government munition factories are in full working order. In regard to the second part of the question, I can only say that in many cases the output of the national factories is of a highly satisfactory character in all the respects mentioned in my hon. Friend's question.
§ Mr. W. THORNEDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that all the factories running under Government control at Blackburn are working at full capacity, and that he is gotting the full quantity of shells and munitions?
§ Dr. ADDISONThat does not follow. It depends entirely on the quality and character of the machinery, and many other things.
§ Mr. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many of these controlled factories the machines are not working at full capacity and many are standing idle, and that a statement in the papers this morning is very detrimental to some of the controlled factories in Blackburn?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am aware of all kinds of statements. It depends upon what munitions it refers to.