HC Deb 23 January 1951 vol 483 cc24-5
42. Mr. Watkinson

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the steps now being taken to expand the rearmament programme; and whether industry is now fully informed as to the part which it must play.

Mr. H. Morrison

I have been asked to reply.

As the House will be aware, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced at the meeting of the North Atlantic Council at Brussels in December that this country would undertake a defence programme accelerated beyond that which had previously been proposed. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is not yet in a position to make a statement on the details of that accelerated programme, but hopes to be able to do so in a very short time.

Mr. Watkinson

After six weeks of complete indecision, is that really the best answer the Lord President can make to the House? Will he not even at this stage give the House and the country some of the leadership for which they are looking to this Government?

Mr. Morrison

I can assure the hon. Member that the matter is under consideration, but this is a matter of very, very great importance with considerable economic repercussions, and if the Government are taking reasonable time in order to consider their decision, I do not think that that is unreasonable. As I have said, my right hon. Friend will make a statement as soon as possible.

Mr. Lyttelton

Is the Lord President not aware that there is a widespread feeling in industry that not even orders have been laid or plans made? When are the Government going to come to a decision in this matter?

Mr. Morrison

That question ought to be put on the Paper.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that if he yields to the request which is made to him to give the country the leadership it demands, that leadership will not be given in the direction of extended armaments but of reduced ones?

Mr. R. A. Butler

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that very little information on this subject has reached the public, and that there is great anxiety about the extent of the orders which have been placed and the time lag involved after the orders have been placed? In view of the great anxiety on this subject, will he or his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister make an early statement to the House?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, with regard to the second part of the Question, that there are firms in Birmingham and the Midlands whose livelihood is about to be taken away by the order of the Ministry of Supply relating to base metal supplies, without their being given an opportunity to tender for rearmament work?

Mr. Morrison

I do not doubt that my right hon. Friend will take notice of that point. It is perfectly clear that there cannot be substantial rearmament without certain economic adjustment.