§ 6. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that skilled men have recently been discharged from a well-known aircraft factory; that this gives great concern when aircraft is being ordered abroad; and will he consider making an arrangement to transfer men to other firms or some other method than discharge?
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Kingsley Wood)I am informed by the 188 management of the factory to which I understand the hon. Member refers, that such discharges as have taken place represent nothing more than the normal movement's of personnel which are usual in any large organisation.
§ 7. Mr. Smithasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied that the best use is being made of the material available in the construction of all types of aircraft and in the progressive development of new types or machines built for research or training; and has recent consideration been given to making more use of wood or improved wood?
§ Sir K. WoodYes, Sir; unremitting attention is given to the efficient and economical utilisation of all available materials in aircraft construction. As regards the second part of the Question, it is the settled policy of the Air Ministry to require that training aircraft shall be mainly constructed of wood; and my Department is in close and constant touch with developments in the use of wood in various forms for any aeronautical purposes for which it may be suitable.