§ 75. Mr. LUNNasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he is aware that numbers of men have been discharged from certain aircraft factories within the London area since 11th November last; that discharges are still being made despite the fact that within these factories there are stocks of raw material suitable for being used in the manufacture of doors, cupboards, 2222 stairs, wardrobes, and other necessaries in the construction of houses, and the internal fittings of the same, and that the machinery capable of making these useful articles is now standing idle; and whether he will consider the advisability of using this material, machinery, and labour for this purpose within these factories or of its disposal for immediate use elsewhere?
Mr. HOPEThere is only one National aircraft factory in the London area to which the conditions indicated in the question would, in any way, apply, and that factory is engaged on the salvage of aircraft rendered obsolete by the termination of the War. I understand that there is sufficient capacity in the country for the manufacture of doors, cupboards, and other house fittings. Materials and machinery suitable for the purpose and surplus to the requirements of the Government are being placed on the market by the Disposals Board.
§ Mr. LUNNIs the hon. Gentleman aware that at the Graham-White factory in Edinburgh there are several thousand cubic feet of wood, all of which is suitable for house-building purposes, and, having regard to the Government's programme, is it not desirable that that wood should be used for building purposes instead of men being dismissed and coming on to the unemployment fund as they are doing?
Mr. HOPEThe instance I had in mind was not the one at Edinburgh. I have no knowledge of the wood being stored there.