HC Deb 01 March 1948 vol 448 cc32-3
68. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give a comprehensive and detailed list of articles for civilian use which are now being produced at Royal Ordnance Factories in Great Britain; and how and to what extent these articles are respectively being exported and made available for the general public; and in what proportions they are distributed in England and Wales on the one hand and Scotland on the other hand.

The Minister of Supply (Mr. G. R. Strauss)

I will, with the hon. and learned Member's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the principal goods being manufactured for civilian use in the Royal Ordnance Factories. Most of the civil work is on capital goods, components and intermediate products, which, although they benefit the general public indirectly, do not go direct to them, but to public services or to user, assembling or distributing industries. A considerable contribution, both direct and indirect, is being made to the export drive, but precise details of the ultimate destination of the goods are not available.

Mr. Hughes

Is it intended further to extend that list of articles, and, if so, could my right hon. Friend include in that list such other articles as it is intended to make available for public use in the immediate future?

Mr. Strauss

We are always extending the list and are anxious to take on anything which we can reasonably manufacture in the Royal Ordnance Factories.

Following is the list:

Railway wagons for minerals; repair of general service railway wagons; components for locomotives and wagons; prestressed concrete railway sleepers; coal-cutter and conveyor components for mining; power station equipment; components for small diesel generators; electrical ceramics; agricultural and industrial chemicals; concrete hulls of prefabricated rural houses; pressed steel housing fitments; cookers; internal combustion engines; motor car components; woodworking machinery; hosiery machinery; oilfield equipment; excavating equipment; clock components; medals; non-ferrous strip; various engineering services (namely, machining, pattern-making and casting).