HC Deb 17 February 1943 vol 386 cc1734-5
51. Mr. Hammersley

asked the Minister of Production what steps are being taken to switch over the production of machine tools, many of which are becoming surplus to requirements, in order to speed up production of jigs and tools where there is a serious bottleneck?

Mr. Lyttelton

There is still a heavy load on the machine tool industry, which now has to bear the additional burden of reconditioning and replacement brought about by the constant use for such a long period of machinery, much of which was not new at the outbreak of war. The whole production of the industry including its sub-contractors, is watched from day to day by the Machine Tool Control, to ensure that both in quantity and type it is balanced as finely as possible against requirements. The production of jigs and tools does not in general constitute a serious bottleneck. The demand for these products remains a heavy one, but the output has been progressively increased, and where it becomes advantageous to switch capacity from making machine tools to the production of jigs and tools, this has been and will continue to be done.

Mr. Hammersley

Is it not a fact that the manning of machine tools now gives some difficulty, that machine tools are being ordered month by month which will not come into production for probably over 12 months, and that machine tools are in existence which cannot be manned and cannot be worked because of the bottle-heck in tools and jigs?

Mr. Lyttelton

I could not assent to any Such general statement. There are general purpose machine tools which are in good supply, although there are still serious shortages of specialised tools.

Mr. Simmonds

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that one of the greatest needs is for spares and that machine tools which have been running for a long time are now standing idle because the spares are not available? Will my right hon. Friend concentrate on that?

Mr. Lyttelton

Yes, Sir.