HC Deb 23 March 1937 vol 321 cc2745-6
47. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Prime Minister whether, in accordance with the proposals of the Royal Commission on the Private Manufacture of Arms, His Majesty's Government have prepared a plan for the conscription in time of war of all engineering establishments capable of producing arms and munitions or component parts of arms and munitions?

Sir J. Simon

The Principal Supply Officers' Organisation of the Committee of Imperial Defence has amongst its duties the function of studying the economic, financial and other questions incidental to the turnover of industry, including the branch of industry mentioned by the hon. Member, to war production in time of emergency.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not the case that the Committee have already started to interfere in the engineering industry?