§ 34. Mr. Stokesasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that the cost price of the standard unit steel shelter, the total weight of which is 8½ cwt., exclusive of distribution charges but including profit, should not exceed £5; and how many such shelters has his Department ordered?
§ Sir J. AndersonNo, Sir. The production costs of the steel shelter are subject to investigation by the Import Duties Advisory Committee, and I am satisfied that the estimated average price which I gave in reply to a previous question by the hon. Member on 16th May is reasonable. That price included of course a substantial item representing cost of fabrication. The number of standard units ordered to date is 1,400,000.
§ Mr. StokesIn view of that reply and the reply which the Minister gave on 16th May, may I ask him whether he is aware that competent people estimate that the cost of these shelters should not exceed £5; and that if the order which the Minister implies has been placed by his Department for over 1,000,000 shelters is adhered to at the price indicated, it means that some manufacturer is clearing off with something like £2,000,000 on that particular order?
§ Sir J. AndersonIt is not a question of "some manufacturer" because arrangements have been made with the federation and with the industry as a whole. The Import Duties Advisory Committee, with whom I am in touch, and who have undertaken an investigation into the case, are, from my point of view, the most competent and the most impartial body available for that purpose.
§ Sir Irving AlberyHas the right hon. Gentleman received any offers from responsible firms to supply these shelters at a materially lower price?
§ Sir J. AndersonNo, Sir.
§ Mr. StokesIs the Minister aware that he will not get any competitive prices and he will have to insist on having the price reduced to the proper level?
§ 35. Mr. Stokesasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that manufacturers of the Home Office type of steel shelter, the total weight which is approximately 800 lbs., are retailing them to the general public at £10 each, and, as the cost including delivery and a margin of profit should not exceed £7, what he is doing to control the price of these shelters to the public?
§ Sir J. AndersonIf the hon. Member has in mind steel shelters of the standard Home Office design, I can only say that the manufacturers are under agreement not to sell this type of shelter to the general public. When adequate supplies are available I will make an announcement regarding the channel through which the general public may purchase the shelters, and the price.
§ Mr. StokesIs not the Minister aware that the manufacturers are, in fact, quoting to the general public at this price 2485 and that competent people are satisfied that this kind of material should not cost more than £18 a ton delivered?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe standard type of shelter is not quoted to the public.
§ Mr. StokesIs the Minister aware that I myself have received a quotation from a manufacturer for this kind of material.
§ Sir J. AndersonPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will be good enough to send me particulars.
§ Sir Percy HarrisDoes not this suggest the necessity for a real Ministry of Supply?
§ 40. Sir I. Alberyasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will obtain figures giving the highest and lowest inclusive costs for erecting Anderson shelters in certain selected districts in order that some useful guidance in this matter may be made available?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe physical conditions which determine the cost vary so much from place to place that I do not consider that figures chosen in the manner suggested would, in fact, afford any useful guidance.
§ Sir I. AlberyDoes my right hon. Friend propose to take steps to provide some guidance as to the cost of erecting shelters, and has his attention been drawn to the fact that in some areas their erection is very expensive?
§ Sir J. AndersonI think that there is a misapprehension here. It is not a question as between one area and another, but between one type of soil and another, and the cost undoubtedly varies within a considerable range.
§ Miss WilkinsonIf the right hon. Gentleman provided a suitable test case for a whole area, say, in London, which covered 2,000,000 people, surely that would provide sufficient guidance for a big area?
§ Sir J. AndersonI do not think it is necessary to provide guidance to the local authorities who are dealing with this matter, and who have their own competent advisers.
§ Miss WilkinsonBut the people have to pay for these things?
§ Sir J. AndersonNo, these things are being erected by the local authorities.