§ 53. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in placing contracts for the supply of munitions and for the supply of raw materials in connection therewith, he will consider the desirability of requesting contractors to make use of coastal shipping for the necessary transport wherever possible?
§ Sir T. INSKIPI will bring the point made by my hon. and gallant Friend to the notice of the Service Departments for consideration in relation to the contracts which they make.
§ 54. Miss WILKINSONasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of De-fence what orders for munitions have either been given to, or sub-let to, Krupps or other German firms by any of 1525 the Service Departments or any of the contractors to these Departments in connection with the present re-armament programme; and what is the amount involved?
§ Sir T. INSKIPI am advised by the Service Departments that no orders for munitions have been placed with Messrs. Krupps or other German firms, but that a few requirements in the form of individual machines or other appliances for experimental purposes have been obtained from Germany. Precise figures in respect of the latter are not available, but the amount is negligible.
§ Miss WILKINSONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that at the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce this week it was stated that large orders for machine tools had been placed with Messrs. Krupps because they were not available in time in this country?
§ Sir T. INSKIPI was not aware of this statement.
§ Miss WILKINSONReally! May I ask whether, if the right hon. Gentleman is not aware of the statement, which is quite understandable, he ought not to be aware of the facts in his present position?
§ Sir T. INSKIPI am quite aware of the facts.
§ Miss WILKINSONIn view of the attempt of the Government to restrict the production of steel in this country, will the right hon. Gentleman not find out what the facts are?