HC Deb 28 July 1947 vol 441 cc11-2
23. Mr. W. Shepherd

asked the Minister of Supply why it is intended to introduce a magazine covering the royal ordnance factories; and the weight of paper which will be involved per annum in this publication, together with the weight in the datum period.

Mr. Wilmot

The object of the "Royal Ordnance Factory News" is to assist co-operation between workers and management and so to improve production. The circulation is at present 10,000 copies, and publication is fortnightly. Each issue involves 3 cwt. of paper.

Mr. Shepherd

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the last and most important part of my Question?

Mr. Wilmot

I am afraid I am not clear to what the hon. Gentleman refers when he speaks of "the datum period."

Mr. Shepherd

I thought it was a Government expression. What I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman is, how much of this paper was used for this purpose before the war?

Mr. Wilmot

Royal Ordnance Factories were developed during the war.

Hon. Members

No.

Mr. Wilmot

They were developed then.

Mr. Bramall

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind the great need for some publication of this kind to explain the Ministry's policy to the workers in the Royal Ordnance Factories?

Mr. Wilmot

Yes, Sir. We have ample evidence that the house journal which has been started is doing very good work.