HC Deb 05 December 1945 vol 416 c2319
45. Mr. Thomas Macpherson

asked the Prime Minister whether the private sale and traffic in arms in this country will in future be prohibited.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 1st November in which it was stated that' the manufacture of armaments will be the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production. In the maintenance of war potential they will utilise both private and State owned capacity as circumstances may require. I have nothing to add to that reply.

Mr. Macpherson

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that my Question refers only to the traffic and sale in arms, and has nothing to do with the manufacture of arms, the position in regard to which, I quite appreciate, has been described by my right hon. Friend?

Mr. Attlee

I think the previous answer covered that point.