HC Deb 04 March 1918 vol 103 cc1737-8W
Mr. NEEDHAM

asked the Under-secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware of instructions to steel works not to execute orders placed by merchants, though such orders are accompanied by priority 1 certificates, until consumers' orders with certificates of the same priority have been executed; whether he is aware of the delay to the production of aeroplanes thereby occasioned; and whether he will take steps to remove this discrimination against merchants' orders when accompanied by priority certificates?

Sir W. EVANS

In order to obtain closer control over the distribution of the special steels referred to and in order to regulate the stocks held by consumers, an order has been given to the makers of these steels to supply consumers only.