§ 36. Mr. SIMMONDSasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the expansion of the Royal Air Force will be delayed and the cost of the necessary aircraft increased if certain official proposals to reduce the tolerances on screw threads be adopted; and whether it is his intention to maintain the present A.9 limits?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERA small change from the A.9 limits is under consideration, mainly on account of the increased use of stainless steels. It is 1091 not expected that appreciable delay in production or increase in cost will result, but full weight will, of course, be given to these factors before the proposed change, which has been referred to the manufacturers for their comments, is introduced.
§ Mr. SIMMONDSWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, even if the Air Ministry is willing to shoulder this extra expense, it will seriously affect our export trade, and will he give the most careful consideration to the views of the industry before any final decision is reached?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am aware that this is an extraordinarily technical matter, on which the views of a mere layman like myself would be useless, but the whole matter is being considered now in consultation with the industry, and that surely is the sensible course to take.