§ 8. Mrs. Jean Mannasked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that the Coat-bridge firm producing cables are compelled to send these to the Midlands for testing; and as this transport cost handicaps production at low cost, will he endeavour to remedy this situation by provision of a proving test nearer the centre of production.
§ The Minister of Supply (Mr. G. R. Strauss)Small lengths of cable are sent to testing centres at Sheffield or Netherton only when they require special tests which cannot be carried out by the firm or at a local centre, and total production costs should not be seriously affected by the small extra expense involved. It would he for the industry to establish an additional special testing centre, but the cost of providing such a centre would be heavy and I am advised that there is no general demand for it.
§ Mrs. MannIs the Minister aware that if the cable chain is 2½ inches in diameter it need not go further than Lloyds of Glasgow for testing, but if it is 2¾ inches it has to go to the Midlands? Surely he will agree that it is uneconomic, if there is a flaw in it, that it has to go back to the Midlands a second time? Will he not do something about it?
§ Mr. StraussI understand that only on special tests, and quite occasionally, have a few feet of this type of cable to be sent to Sheffield, and I am advised that there is no general demand for the setting up of another testing station nearer these works.