HC Deb 07 April 1937 vol 322 cc178-80
28. Mr. Mander

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence the amount of orders placed in Germany for machinery this year?

Sir T. Inskip

I am advised that since 1st January, 1937, the Defence Departments have placed with German firms through British agents orders amounting to about £62,000. In addition, orders to the amount of about £168,000 are known to have been placed in Germany for what are called shadow factories. I regret that information is not available as to orders placed by private firms in Germany, whether for their own purposes or for the purposes of the Defence programme.

Mr. Mander

Is it not possible to equip the shadow factories other than by purchasing the materials in Germany?

Sir T. Inskip

Every effort is made to equip the shadow factories at the earliest possible moment and, broadly speaking, they have been equipped from British sources, but in particular cases it has been thought desirable to get equipment from other countries.

Mr. Thorne

Is this machinery which is being obtained from Germany machinery that cannot be made in this country?

Sir T. Inskip

I am not prepared to answer a general question. Generally speaking, machines ordered from Germany are either machines of a special class or machines which can be delivered at an earlier date than the same machines in this country.

Mr. Thorne

Are there any special tools ordered in Germany?

Sir T. Inskip

I cannot answer that without notice. The hon. Member will see that only a comparatively small amount is involved and that the orders for Government purchases have been placed in this country.

Mr. Bellenger

May I ask whether in the case of the replacement of this machinery from Germany for shadow factories it will also have to come from Germany in due course?

Sir T. Inskip

As I understand, that by no means follows.

Mr. Alexander

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay a White Paper showing the class of machinery which is being ordered from Germany?

Mr. H. G. Williams

Is not the right hon. Gentleman gratified with this outburst of protectionist enthusiasm on the part of hon. Members opposite?

Mr. Stephen

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many German engineers have been employed in connection with these orders?

Sir T. Inskip

I cannot say. In reply to the right hon. Gentleman I am not aware that any class of machinery has been ordered, but particular machines have been ordered in some cases.

Mr. Alexander

May we have the particulars?

Sir T. Inskip

I will consider whether I can get a list if the right hon. Gentleman thinks it is of any importance. I should hardly have thought it was worth a White Paper.

Mr. Alexander

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many private firms are being held up over licences and tariffs and we should like to know what is being done by special orders?

Sir T. Inskip

My information does not agree with that of the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. V. Adams

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that this country has the fullest possible control over its own rearmament?