HC Deb 10 December 1941 vol 376 cc1529-31
63. Mr. Neil Maclean

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply why in a certain ordnance factory a Reed Prentice vertical milling machine was installed 11 months ago and has never been used?

Mr. Harold Macmillan

This machine is one of three purchased for use pending the delivery of more suitable machines, and considerable use has been made of all of them. One more suitable machine was recently installed and if, as seems probable, it should prove that the machine referred to in the Question will not be required at the factory, it will be put to use elsewhere.

Mr. Maclean

Is it not rather peculiar that this machine should have been standing idle for 11 months? The Minister has not denied that.

Mr. Macmillan

My information is that that statement is incorrect. All these machines have been used from time to time and are now to be substituted to some extent by special-purpose machines.

Mr. Maclean

The Minister says that this machine has been used from time to time; can he inform me of the different times when it was standing idle?

Mr. Macmillan

I am not an expert on these matters, but I understand that machine tools are like golf clubs in a bag; you cannot play with all the clubs all the time. Some have to be kept all the time for appropriate purposes. Unless you have a special-purposes machine, it cannot be used continuously. This machine belongs to a type that is only occasionally used.

Mr. Maclean

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his explanation of the machinery contained in Ordnance factories is hopelessly absurd?

64. Mr. Maclean

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that in the main shop of a factory, the location of which has been made known to him, two Pollard vertical drilling machines have been there for over nine months and have never been in use; and what explanation the management have given him of this idleness?

Mr. Macmillan

The factory is planned for the manufacture of alternative types of ammunition, and the machines in question are provided to enable a rapid changeover of production to be made to meet altered Service requirements.

Mr. Maclean

Does the hon. Gentleman deny that this machine was standing idle for nine months?

Mr. Macmillan

I find it difficult to give a detailed reply without giving information which I prefer not to give. These special arrangements are made in order to make a rapid change-over from one form of shell to another. For that reason it is necessary to keep some of these machines in case we get a sudden demand for a different type.

Mr. Maclean

Have I not already asked for a special inquiry into this factory as to the reasons why so many machines are standing idle, and has not the Minister refused the inquiry?

Mr. Macmillan

My hon. Friend asked me to institute a special inquiry into this factory, and I refused to do it on the ground that we preferred to operate through the machinery we have set up with the trade unions and shop committees, which is now at work.

Mr. Maclean

Is it not the case—

Mr. Speaker

This argument cannot go on.

Mr. Maclean

The information the Minister has given is inaccurate.

Mr. Speaker

I do not know about that, but the hon. Member has had his reply.

65. Mr. Maclean

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that in an ordnance factory, the location of which has been made known to him, a Wicksteed billet-saw has been installed for ten months and has never been used; and what explanation he can give?

Mr. Macmillan

I presume the hon. Member is referring to a Wicksteed 10-inch No. 2 Billet Cold Saw which was delivered in July, 1941, in advance of the balancing machines which are just arriving. The machine forms part of a special purpose layout and will commence operation as soon as the complement is complete.

Mr. Maclean

Is it admitted that this machine has been standing idle for the period mentioned?

Mr. Macmillan

Yes, it is continually happening when we are building new plant and collecting balancing plant from all over the world and have to deal with priorities for the factories and other needs. It takes several months to bring a complete plant into being with all the rival claims for machine tools.