HC Deb 03 July 1940 vol 362 cc842-3
60. Mr. Leonard

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will take steps to ensure that Government inspectors will apply their quality tests to materials before being processed and so eliminate wastage in material and work entailed by some of the present practices?

Mr. H. Morrison

It has for some time been the practice to apply such tests to materials prior to their being processed. If my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind, I shall be glad to look into them.

Mr. Leonard

Is the Minister aware that this practice exists at the present time and that illustrations can be given to him of Government inspectors boring holes in wooden boxes for munitions in order to ascertain the moisture content and that in the same shop boards are lying about from which boxes are being made and which could be used for this purpose?

Mr. Morrison

If my hon. Friend will be good enough to give me the particulars identifying the case, I shall be very glad to look into it.

Mr. Leonard

The Minister will appreciate that it will have to be confidential, because contractors are not willing to give information in many of these cases?

Mr. Morrison

If contractors have something to say in the public interest, it is right that they should say it. May I say here, publicly, that I shall see to it that contractors are protected against any victimisation, which I have no reason to believe really exists, though I realise that the fear of it may exist in their own minds.

Mr. Leonard

I will supply my right hon. Friend with the details.