§ 19. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that foreign tools are used by the Royal Air Force, although British tools are available; and whether he will stipulate that all future Royal Air Force contracts shall insist on the tools and equipment being of British manufacture?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)The policy of the Air Ministry is to purchase British tools whenever possible, and foreign tools are bought only when British tools are not available or when their cost is so much higher as to preclude the normal preference being given in their favour. I may add that during the past year only two purchases of foreign tools have been made, of a total value of under £75.
§ Mr. ROBINSONIs my right hon. Friend aware that tools of foreign manufacture are bought from France, Germany and the United States by British firms, and are then supplied to his Department without name or mark; and will he insist in future that all the tools used by his Department shall be manufactured, as well as purchased, in this country?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI have given my answer.
§ Mr. PIKECan the Under-Secretary say what were the tools that British industry is not competent to manufacture?
§ Sir P. SASSOONIt is not a question of competence; it is a question of financial limits.