HC Deb 01 July 1941 vol 372 cc1199-201
27. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he is aware of the uneasiness that is created amongst people engaged in the industry because they are not fully employed; and whether he will take steps to see that the reasons are fully explained, where possible, to the representatives of men engaged in each factory?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production (Mr. Montague)

I am satisfied that every effort is made by firms to eliminate fluctuations of work, in the factories as entities and in the different parts of the factories; my Department gives all assistance in its power to that end. I believe that the majority of the men realise the efforts that are being made and recognise that fluctuations cannot be entirely eliminated; the explanation of the position in individual factories is a matter for the discretion of the managements.

Mr. Smith

Is not a good deal of the misunderstanding and friction avoidable, and will the Minister use his influence to get the maximum consultation between managements and all interested in the factories, in order to bring about the maximum production?

Mr. Montague

I am personally pressing that policy, with considerable success.

Mr. Stokes

Will the hon. Gentleman consider also pressing upon the factories concerned that they should appoint production and economy committees to which representations could be made by the men?

Mr. Montague

The idea is certainly in my mind.

Mr. Granville

Is not the best way the setting-up of joint committees in each factory between the men and the management, and will the Minister use the power which he already has in order to do this?

Mr. Montague

The problem is rather involved.

Mr. Levy

Is it not the fact that forward programmes are not given to managements and that this omission hangs up production and creates short time? If a little more vision and foresight were used, would not such a state of affairs be avoided?

Mr. Montague

We try to act with vision and foresight, but the number of advance programmes —

Mr. McKinlay

We cannot hear. Is it in order for the Minister to conduct a private conversation with hon. Members behind him?

28. Mr. E. Smith

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that in many factories production could be increased if modern methods of production were introduced; what steps is he taking to check up in each factory; whether surveys are carried out and, if so, what action is taken on the results of the survey; and whether he is satisfied that we are obtaining the best results?

Mr. Montague

Undoubtedly there are certain factories where improvement could be effected by the institution of more modern methods. The matter raised by my hon. Friend is constantly under review and examination, and experts are frequently consulted by the Ministry in order to improve the efficiency of production. It must be remembered, however, that in many cases it is necessary to make the best possible use of existing plant.

Mr. Smith

Has not the Minister a system of delivery days, and, if so, are steps taken to check up those delivery days; and would he consider organising a corps of production engineers with full authority to take steps to increase production?

Mr. Montague

All such matters are taken into consideration.

29. Mr. Smith

asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that the hon. Member for Stoke was assured, 12 and 18 months ago, that there was a satisfactory organisation for the provision of spare parts; and whether the organisation is working to enable all available aircraft to be used when required?

Mr. Montague

Yes, Sir, without detriment to the output of complete aircraft, steps have been taken to provide spare parts up to the amount requisite.

Mr. Smith

Am I to understand from that answer that no aeroplane in any part of the world has been held up for lack of spare parts?

Mr. Montague

I cannot answer that question.

Mr. Smith

Is it hot a fact that our own pilots and American pilots have recently been very indignant because they were not able to use aeroplanes in parts of the world where they might have been of assistance, because of the lack of spare parts?

Mr. Montague

That is a general assertion. People are often not satisfied with all that happens in the course of a very complicated process. We have our experts, and we know our machinery. We do the very best we possibly can to adjust the spare parts position.

Mr. Pickthorn

When the Minister says that steps have been taken, does he mean that those steps include the instruction of persons responsible for production graphs and statistics of production that no aeroplane or tank, and particularly no aeroplane, shall be counted unless there are produced at the same time the appropriate number of tools and spare parts?

Mr. Montague

The answer is in the affirmative. The hon. Member will realise that aircraft construction is subject to changes of type and that, in some cases, there are difficulties in respect of the adjustment of spare parts. I do not think there is any serious reason for a general contention that sections are held up in consequence of a lack of spare parts.