§ Mr. JOYNSON - HICKSasked the Secretary of State for War how many workmen are at present on the pay-roll of the Royal Aircraft Factory; how many of these are employed directly on the construction of aeroplanes or on the construction of experimental aeroplanes; whether recently a number of men engaged for aeroplane construction have been employed in making office furniture; if so, what would be the value of the furniture so produced if bought in the open market; and what has been its cost at the Royal Aircraft Factory?
282W
Mr. BAKERThe answer to the first part of the question is 1,174, to the second part 600. Office or shop fittings have been made by men on trial or lads under preliminary instruction on a few occasions when odd pieces of wood unsuitable for aeroplanes could economically be used up. Some cabinets for filing documents were recently made, at a cost, including a full share of establishment and other general charges of the factory, of about £9. If purchased they would have cost about £9 10s.