§ 47. Mr. Cassellsasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that many Scottish foundries engaged normally in the light casting trade are faced with considerable depression and unemployment due to the Government's present housing policy; that the machinery in many of these establishments is ill-equipped to meet contracts for the manufacture of armaments; and is he prepared to afford assistance, financial or otherwise, to such firms in order to accord Scotland, and in particular Stirlingshire, a fair share of work in the Government's present war effort?
§ Mr. BurginSo far as possible, opportunity is taken to utilise available manufacturing capacity in suitable works either by financial assistance where necessary or by way of provision of plant, but there are extreme difficulties in turning over foundries to armament work without incurring heavy capital expenditure, which may not in all cases be justified. The particular claims of Stirlingshire will, with other districts, continue to receive consideration in the allotment of suitable Government work.
§ Mr. CassellsIs the Minister aware of the very highly potential productive capacity of Falkirk and district, and, if not, does he intend to make any investigations there through the medium of his Department?
§ Mr. BurginYes, Sir. I am aware of the potential manufacturing possibilities of Falkirk, but they are mostly for cast-iron, and the demands of modern war are nearly all for steel, very little cast-iron being required. If it is possible for me to use the Falkirk cast-iron industry at all I shall be happy to do so, and one of the representatives of the National Union of Foundry Workers is a member of the area committee for that district.
§ Mr. WestwoodIs the Minister aware of the very serious concern on the part of employers, workmen, and the local authorities in that district at the growing volume of unemployment, and will he consult with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour with a view to meeting a joint deputation from those bodies to discuss ways and means of giving effect to the desire of the Falkirk district to help in the great work of production?
§ Mr. BurginI would, of course, willingly discuss with my right hon. colleague any of the matters to which the hon. Member referred, but it is not a question for me to find employment. My primary duty is to find supplies. The difficulty of an iron foundry, if cast-iron is not wanted, must be apparent to the House, and what I am endeavouring to do is to see whether a number of small parts of engineering stores hitherto made from steel can, with modern manufacturing possibilities, be made from cast-iron; but it is not an easy turnover problem.
§ Mr. MaxtonDo you ever think of making stoves for Army huts?