HC Deb 03 November 1937 vol 328 cc917-8
50. Mr. George Griffiths

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence, the number and cost of the agency factories and of additions to the existing plant of private manufacturers financed by the Government, under the Defence Programme, in Great Britain and in each of the main groups of special areas, distinguishing between Tyneside and Durham?

Sir T. Inskip

The number of agency factories which have been financed by the Government in Great Britain under the Defence Programme is 14, and the cost of these has amounted to £8,368,000. Of these, two, of which the cost has been £2,200,000, are situated in Special Areas. As regards additions to the existing plant of private manufacturers which have been financed by the Government, the total amount so expended in Great Britain has been £8,162,552 and in the Special Areas £3,962,250. It is regretted that figures for particular Special Areas cannot be given without an undue amount of labour.

Mr. Griffiths

Is this money given to the private manufacturer, or is it a loan? If it is given, is it given without a means test?

Sir T. Inskip

This question was discussed in the Select Committee on Estimates last March. These sums are not given to contractors, but arrangements are made to suit the special circumstances of each case.

Mr. Kirkwood

Will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that the individuals who have control of that £8,000,000 give as good conditions to their workpeople as the Government give to their employés in the Royal dockyards? On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Surely my Supplementary is relevant to the original question and demands an answer?

Sir T. Inskip

I respectfully suggest to the hon. Member that it is a question which he might address to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

Miss Ward

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much of that actual sum has been expended in the Special Areas? If the whole of it has not been spent in the Special Areas, can he say how much has been spent in sub-contract work in or outside the Special Areas?

Sir T. Inskip

That is another question, and I very much doubt whether I could give an answer even if the hon. Lady put it down on the Order Paper.