§ 33. Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Supply what are the present stocks of steel held by the Royal Ordnance Factories; and how many months' usage this represents.
§ The Minister of Supply (Mr. G. R. Strauss)The Royal Ordnance Factories hold a war reserve, mainly of special steels acquired during the war, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose the amount. No reserve is held for current production.
§ Mr. ShepherdDo I understand that there is no favoured treatment for Ordnance factories in the allocation of steel, and that they hold no supplies in excess of their day to day requirements?
§ Mr. StraussYes, Sir.