HC Deb 27 October 1919 vol 120 cc261-2
38. Major GREAME

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the Government policy, as announced on the 5th March with regard to the use of national factories, has been altered; and whether it is now proposed to use national factories for the manufacture of railway wagons in competition with private traders?

124. Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is the intention of the Government to use any and, if so, which of the national factories for the manufacture of railway rolling stock?

125. Captain BOWYER

asked the 'Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many of the makers of railway wagons in this country are short of orders; and whether the Ministry of Transport intends to utilise the national factories to compete with such wagon makers in the manufacture of railway wagons?

127. Mr. MADDOCKS

asked the Minister of Transport whether an order for railway wagons has been placed with Woolwich Arsenal; if so, for which railway company has the order been placed; and will he state whether the order has been approved by such railway company and for the Railway Executive Committee?

Mr. KELLAWAY

There has been no change in the Government policy. It is not proposed to use national factories for the manufacture of railway wagons in competition with private traders. Orders for railway wagons are not accepted by the Ministry for any railway company unless such company has assured the Ministry that they are unable to get the deliveries required from railway wagon builders. Orders for 2,000 railway wagons for the North-Eastern Railway and 500 for the Great Western Railway have been placed with Woolwich Arsenal. One hundred locomotive engines are being manufactured at the Arsenal for the Government. A certain amount of repair work on railway rolling stock is being undertaken at Woolwich Arsenal, and at one or two other national factories.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us who placed these orders at Woolwich Arsenal?

Mr. KELLAWAY

If the hon. Baronet refers to the railway wagons, one order was placed on behalf of the North-Eastern Railway and the other on behalf of the Great Western Railway.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I wish to know which Department placed the order?

Mr. KELLAWAY

It was placed by the Ministry of Munitions.