HC Deb 18 January 1967 vol 739 cc423-4
32. Mr. Woodnutt

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what advice his Department has sought in respect of machine tool requirements of Royal Ordnance factories during the past two years; and what advice has been received.

Mr. Mason

As well as advice from our own professional engineers, we also got advice from the Ministry of Technology and the Royal Ordnance Factories Board, whose members include distinguished industrialists. This advice stressed the importance of our policy to replace obsolete machines with up-to-date ones, to increase productivity.

Mr. Woodnutt

Is there not something wrong with the liaison between the hon. Gentleman's Ministry and the Ministry of Technology when it is known in the industry that of the 34 machines bought abroad costing nearly £½ million, 25 were obtainable in this country?

Mr. Mason

Personal examination of the technical requirements, the price of the machines and delivery requirements shows that none of the British machines fulfilled these conditions.

33. Mr. Woodnutt

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied that machine tools of similar type, function and price to the 34 machines ordered from overseas for Royal Ordnance factories during the year 1966 were not available from British manufacturers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mason

Yes, Sir. If British machine tools are available and meet the technical, price and delivery requirements, we buy them.

Mr. Woodnutt

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is possible for the Royal Ordnance factories to write out a specification to fit a foreign machine, and that if it were varied slightly the machine would be available in this country? Is he satisfied that that sort of thing is not happening?

Mr. Mason

I must refute what the hon. Gentleman says. What he is trying to do is purposely to have a specification of the British machine tool industry's tools made solely for our own requirements. But we specify what we want, and then, on the technicality, the price and the delivery date, we make a purchase.

Mr. Woodnutt

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I propose to raise the matter at the earliest opportunity on the Adjournment.