HC Deb 30 April 1951 vol 487 cc820-2
9. Mr. Walter Fletcher

asked the Minister of Supply if he will ensure that the machine tools being imported into this country for our re-armament programme are adequately supplied with spare parts; and if he will ensure that these tools are delivered as quickly as possible.

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

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Fletcher

Can the Minister give an absolutely categorical assurance that there have been no instances where machine tools have arrived slightly damaged and without the necessary spare parts, so that there has been some loss of time in getting to work?

Mr. Strauss

I am not aware of any such instance.

26. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Supply whether arrangements are in hand for creating strategic reserves of high-speed steel and tungsten-carbide engineers' cutting tools for use in connection with machine tools under the defence programme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

No, Sir. The normal arrangements of the industry are such as to provide a reasonably effective reserve.

Mr. Nabarro

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the maximum utilisation of our available machine tool capacity and the extension of shift working in the engineering industry for the defence programme depend entirely on adequate supplies of high-speed steel and tungsten-carbide engineers' small tools, and in view of our experience in the last war, even as late as 1944, would it not be propitious to expand this capacity and install reserves?

Mr. Strauss

I agree with the first part of that question. This matter has been discussed with the industry. They are satisfied that they are able to provide a reasonably effective reserve.

Mr. Watkinson

Will the right hon. Gentleman deal with the other end of the problem, which is that unless the makers of cutters and other machine tools are supplied with the right type of steel from the nationalised steel industry they cannot make the tools? Will he give an assurance that they will receive those supplies?

Mr. Strauss

That is rather a different question.

27. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Supply whether arrangements are now completed to secure adequate machine tool capacity of all descriptions to meet the requirements of that part of the defence programme scheduled for completion during the year ending April, 1952; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

Machine tool capacity will be adequate to meet that part of the defence programme scheduled for completion by April, 1952.

Mr. Nabarro

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the new machine tools which are at present being installed in British engineering factories will be to the detriment of our essential export trade, or will the export trade continue unabated and will those tools sent overseas be replaced by American and other imported machine tools?

Mr. Strauss

That is rather a broad question to answer in a single sentence. If brief, we are maintaining, and hope to be able to maintain, our export trade. Most of it goes either to Commonwealth countries or to countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. We are anxious not to cut down any of the exports to these countries.

Mr. Nabarro

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement at Crayford last Friday evening on the subject of importing European machine tools, can he tell us what he is doing to prevent German machine tools going East, behind the Iron Curtain, instead of westwards to this country?

Mr. Strauss

That is a rather different question. We are buying all the machine tools we can in Western Germany.

28. Mr. Watkinson

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent the American machine tools required for the re-armament programme have been secured; and if the delivery position is satisfactory.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

Priority ratings have already been granted for the majority of the orders for machine tools placed in the United States, and it is hoped that discussions now proceeding with the United States Government will result in satisfactory deliveries of all the American machine tools needed for the defence programme.

Mr. Watkinson

Will the right hon. Gentleman add to that reply and at least say that at the moment the programme of American machine tool procurement is going to plan and that there are no unforeseen hitches which may result in the machine tools on order not reaching us when we expect them?

Mr. Strauss

Yes, Sir.