§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Minister of Supply what steps he has taken to see that manufacturers get their supply of raw materials in right quantity and at the right time?
§ Mr. BurginOne of the main purposes of the various controls over raw materials which I have set up is to ensure that, so far as the available supplies permit, the manufacturers requiring materials for essential purposes obtain them according to their needs.
The relative importance of contractors' needs is decided by the Priority organisation of the Government which I described in detail in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent (Mr. E. Smith) on 18th October.
§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken to augment home-production of raw materials?
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§ Mr. BurginThe hon. Member may be assured that this matter is receiving due attention, and that active steps are being taken.
§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Minister of Supply what steps have been taken to ascertain machinery and labour capacities of different firms; and how the priority system is worked in terms of raw materials, machinery and labour requirements?
§ Mr. BurginInformation as to the capacity of firms suitable for armament production has been steadily collected over the last few years, a special central organisation for the purpose having been provided in the Committee of Imperial Defence. With regard to the labour position, I am in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.
As regards the second part of the question, a description of the priority machinery was given at some length in the OFFICIAL REPORT of the 18th of October, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Stoke (Mr. E. Smith). The central organisation above mentioned has now been brought into the priority machinery.