AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION (Hansard, 19 January 1944)

§ 31. Mr. W. J. Brown
asked the Minister of Aircraft Production what steps he has taken to give effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee on National Expenditure embodied in paragraph 44 of the Committee's Tenth Report of last Session, with a view to securing better relations between contractors and sub-contractors in the aircraft industry.

§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production (Mr. Lennox-Boyd)
I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given in paragraph 16 of Appendix 5 to the 17th Report of last Session from the Select Committee on National Expenditure.
A committee of sub-contract managers of the main aircraft constructors has been set up to examine, in collaboration with the Department, general sub-contracting problems affecting the aircraft industry. 161 The facilities offered by my Ministry and the Ministry of Production are continuously brought to the notice of main contractors through the medium of this Committee.

§ 32. Mr. Perkins
asked the Minister of Aircraft Production what progress has been made in the building of civil aircraft during the last nine months.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
During the present period of the war the whole of the productive resources of the country are necessarily occupied in the building of military or naval aircraft. Opportunity is, however, being taken to make preparations for the construction of the types of civil aircraft recommended by the Brabazon Committee. As a short-term expedient, certain bomber types are being converted for transport purposes so as to be immediately available for commercial work when their use in support of the war effort is no longer required. The Avro "York" is an example.

§ Mr. Perkins
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, in the case of one of the types, if the present rate of progress is continued, it will take 49 years before the drawings are finished?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
I am afraid I cannot accept the statement of the hon. Member. If he has any information leading him to make such a suggestion, I should be glad if he would let me have it.