§ 39. Mr. Granville Sharpasked the Minister of Supply why cast-iron bottom door fastener brackets are being used for the 16-ton steel coal wagons now being assembled in Royal Ordnance Factories; and whether he will now use the simple, cheap forged steel bracket, which is unbreakable and which has been brought to the attention of his Department, or the forged drop stamp type, which are both unbreakable and so avoid the wastages caused by frequent breakages of the cast-iron type.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (Mr. John Freeman)The Railway Technical Committee are responsible for drawing up these wagon specifications, which at present require cast-iron brackets. The question of the use of alternative types of brackets has been referred to that Committee.
§ Mr. SharpCan the Minister say whether he has examined the product which has been brought to the attention 799 of his Department, and whether he prefers the superior article to the inferior article?
§ Mr. FreemanIt is not exactly my function to express a preference one way or the other If the technical committee recommend it, we shall no doubt adopt it.