HC Deb 12 March 1919 vol 113 cc1277-8
54. Sir ARTHUR FELL

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the situation at Cippenham; and if he will consider the suggestion that a Committee of Business Members of the House of Commons should visit the works and report on the position and undertaking generally?

Mr. CHURCHILL

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on the 4th March to questions asked by my hon. Friend the Member for the Wrekin and my right hon. Friend the Member for South Molton. I would add that Sir James Stevenson, the new Surveyor-General of Supply, has now visited the depot at Cippenham, and is preparing his report on the subject. I expect this will be in my possession very soon, and will enable me to announce a definite policy to the House. I see no advantage at this stage of the visit to Cippenham of such an expedition as my hon. Friend proposes.

Sir A. FELL

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the very disquieting statements which appear from time to time? A Government Report will not allay these. Would it not be very much better to have a Report from a Committee of independent Members of this House?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Well, Sir, I am afraid, on behalf of the Government, that I cannot agree to that at all. The enterprise was pushed forward as part of our war effort. The War has come to an end. The question is whether immediately to wind up the undertaking or consider whether it can be found a place in our peace organisation. It is on that that the Government prefer, first of all, to make a proposal to the House.