§ Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider the advisability of making fuller use, for the purposes of Air Ministry work, of the available resources of skilled workmen, buildings, machinery, and experience of the smaller engineering factories, either by direct contracting for essential accessories or a system of group control?
§ Sir K. Wood:In so far as direct contracts for essential accessories are concerned, full consideration is given to all firms with suitable facilities who apply to be placed on the Air Ministry trade lists.
As regards sub-contracts, it is, I think, in general, necessary that the main contractor should retain freedom to make his own sub-contracting arrangements, but the Air Ministry keep closely in touch with sub-contracting by the main aircraft firms. My right hon. Friend proposes, however, to give attention to the question whether the resources of smaller units of production can be further utilised, and I shall be glad to receive any suggestion which the hon. Member would care to let me have.