HC Deb 28 July 1943 vol 391 cc1571-3
53. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Production whether he can make a statement on production; the percentage increase in output for the first six months of 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, respectively, in tanks, aircraft, guns in typical types; the percentage of time lost each year in industrial disputes and the number of women employed on production for each year?

The Minister of Production (Mr. Lyttelton)

I do not think it would be in the public interest to give a detailed series of figures in relation to particular weapons. But as a general indication I can say that the total production of munitions has risen approximately as follows:

First Half 1940 … … 100
First Half 1941 … … 150
First Half 1942 … … 230
First Half 1943 … … 300

With regard to the percentage of time lost through industrial disputes, in 1940, 1941, and in the first half of this year the figure was about 0.02 per cent. In 1942 it was about 0.03 per cent.

For security reasons I cannot give the numbers of women employed on munitions production. The proportion of women employed in the Engineering and Allied Industries has risen as follows:

1940. 1941. 1942. 1943.
16.3% 22.7% 31.0% 34.6%

Mr. Hopkinson

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform us on what basis his comparison of production is made? Is it on weight or on price or merely on the amount disbursed from public funds, because without that knowledge his figures are utterly worthless?

Mr. Lyttelton

I cannot give my hon. Friend a detailed answer to that. In the case of aircraft it is based on structure weight, and in regard to some items of equipment like guns they are compared with numbers. Those are perfectly proper comparisons to make.

Mr. Hopkinson

Is it not a fact that in the case of aircraft a comparison on a structure weight basis is being made between a period when single-seater fighters were predominant and a period when heavy bombers became our main product?

Mr. Thorne

One reads from time to time that a number of bombers are lost. Are instructions given to replace them at the earliest opportunity?

54. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Production whether he is satisfied that we are obtaining the maximum output from our production capacity; that the system of the allocation of orders secures the best results; that waiting time is reduced to a minimum; and are delivery dates maintained?

Mr. Lyttelton

I cannot, of course, reply to the hon. Member's Question except in very general terms. We have not yet reached the maximum output from the capacity being used, but there has been a great improvement in the efficiency both of workers and of managements; and we expect this improvement to continue. The system of allocating orders is being continuously improved, and having regard to the need of keeping production running I am sure that it secures the best results possible. In general, waiting time is reduced to a minimum, and delivery dates are as far as possible maintained.

Mr. Smith

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that production is now so great in this country, as a result of the efforts of industry generally and of the workers' output in particular, that that output cannot be increased except by improved organisation and greater efficiency in technique? Is he satisfied that the Supply Departments are giving attention to these two problems?

Mr. Lyttelton

Yes, Sir.

Sir H. Williams

Is it not a fact that there are more workpeople standing idle in the factories than at any other time for months past?

Mr. Lyttelton

That is a different question, but unemployment figures are considerably down.

Mr. Smith

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this kind of misrepresentation is causing a great deal of con- cern and ought not to be indulged in, in view of the record of the people of this country?

Mr. Hopkinson

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the system of State control can only be conducted at a loss of thousands of millions sterling per annum?

55. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Production whether he can give an estimate of the combined output of the Axis and their satellite countries and the output of the United Nations for the years 1942, 1943 and 1944, respectively; the output of India, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa; and are steps being taken to secure output from North Africa and to use it as a base for repairs?

Mr. Lyttelton

The best estimate that I can give is that in the second quarter of 1942 the total munitions production of the United Nations was little more than twice that of the Axis countries. In the second quarter of 1943 the United Nations production has been more than three times that of the Axis. In the same quarter of 1944 we expect to produce more than four times the present Axis output. To the present United Nations munitions production the British Empire contributes rather over 22 per cent. of the whole. These Islands contribute about 17 per cent. of the whole and the rest of the Commonwealth and Empire about 5 per cent. I can assure my hon. Friend that all steps are being taken in consultation with the appropriate Allied authorities to secure from North Africa its maximum contribution to the war.

Mr. Wakefield

Is the production from Soviet Russia included in that production of the United Nations?

Mr. Lyttelton

Yes, Sir.