§ 21. Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he has any statement to make with reference to fifth column activities in a certain factory in the South of England, particulars of which have been supplied to him; what action has been taken; and whether the persons involved have been appropriately dealt with?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonI have made inquiries, and I am satisfied that there is no evidence whatever to support the allegations of fifth column activities in the factory to which my hon. Friend refers.
§ Mr. ManderIs not the Minister aware that a person, whose name is probably 1332 well known to him, actually saw the action which resulted from fifth column activity, and is prepared to tell the right hon. and gallant Gentleman exactly what took place? In view of that, will the Minister not look into the matter again?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonAs my hon. Friend no doubt realises, I was very unhappy at what he told me. The matter was investigated very thoroughly by myself, with the police. The gentleman who complained was somewhat temperamental, and I could not find any substance in his complaint.
§ Mr. ManderHas the gentleman who complained been seen about it?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonOh yes, certainly.
§ Mr. E. SmithWill the Minister bear in mind that the spirit and determination of the men employed in the aircraft industry are such that the men will watch that no fifth column activity takes place in that industry?
§ 22. Mr. Viantasked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether he has considered the report of a visit to an aircraft factory, particulars of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for West Willesden; is he prepared to order an investigation into the management of this factory and others doing similar work for his Department; and will he withdraw the present system of payment to manufacturers, namely, that of cost plus percentage, whereby they receive 10 per cent. on top of costs of every job done and institute a bonus on the amount saved on contract price?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonThe efficiency of factory management is under constant observation and I do not consider that any special investigation is necessary. My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in supposing that aircraft contracts are normally placed on a cost-plus-percentage basis; on the contrary, every effort is made to secure fixed prices and thus to give an incentive to efficiency.
§ Mr. ViantWhile it may be true that every effort is made to fix the price, is it not a fact that contract work is given out at the present time on the basis of cost plus percentage?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonIt all depends upon the work. For odd jobs, the particulars in the Question may be correct, but for contracts for a series of machines there is a fixed price.
§ Mr. StokesAre we to understand that what were known as McClintock agreements have been abolished?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonThey are being abolished.