§ Mr. E. STRAUSSasked the Minister of Munitions why his Department is giving large orders for wheels and wheel repairs to the Cunard Shipbuilding Company, who have had no experience of this work, while applications from experienced wheel manufacturers who can do the work at lower rates and more expeditiously have been refused?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe Cunard Company have made quantities of new wheels since early 1915—all such contracts being the result of competitive tendering. No orders for new wheels have been placed with this firm since July, 1917. As regards wheel repair, a distinct problem arose about a year ago, when the repair of damaged gun-carriage wheels returned from the front became acute. These are heavier work than the repair of the transport 1837W vehicle wheels. After full consideration of all the existing facilities, the work was distributed between the Cunard Company, who had premises available at Mill-wall and one of the railway companies. The areas in which damaged wheels can be economically repaired are comparatively small, and are regulated by the port of arrival and the point of despatch. All available capacity within these areas has been thoroughly examined, and the Department is satisfied that in one form or another it has been, and is being, utilised to the utmost. No application from experienced wheel makers for repair of damaged gun wheels has been received. As the existing wheel makers are understood to be fully occupied, such applications can hardly be expected. The Ministry will be glad to hear of any wheelmaker not fully employed.