§ Mr. N. Macleanasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that orders for three gauges have been in order since December, 1940, and have not yet been started, although 75 hours work by one man would complete them; that other gauges have been in order for months and not yet started; that in one week in the tool room 200 hours were lost out of a possible 980 hours by skilled fitters; and whether he will hold the inquiry requested by the workers in the factory concerned?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanI have been unable to trace the order for gauges to which 363W the hon. Member refers. It is possible that an old order might have been put aside for work of greater importance. The factory has never suffered a loss of production due to shortage of gauges. I am not aware of such a loss of time as is referred to, but an investigation is now being made to see whether some fitters can be released for other work. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him yesterday.