§ Mr. Parkerasked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to hand over the management of any further Government-built munitions works to private enterprise?
Mr. McNeilasked the Prime Minister whether any decision has been taken to change the scheme of management in state-owned ordnance and allied factories and establishments?
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§ Mr. Silvermanasked the Prime Minister whether it is the considered policy of the Government to hand over factories, now owned or managed by Government Departments, to private management and control; and whether, as any such policy would be generally resented, both on the grounds of efficiency and of equity, he has any statement to make?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanI have been asked to reply. I presume the hon. Members have in mind the discussions now proceeding with certain firms, in which they are being asked to launch and manage for an initial period certain new factories for the filling of ammunition on behalf of the Ministry of Supply. The factories will be known as Ordnance Factories. The firms will receive their actual expenses, without profit. These arrangements are being made to obtain the advantage of the assistance of the management and business organisation of the firms concerned in order to bring these factories into full production as quickly as possible. When this object has been achieved, the factories will be transferred to Royal Ordnance Factory management. The decision to invite this assistance was taken to deal with a specific problem of management, and does not represent any general change of policy. No similar arrangements are contemplated at present for other munitions factories.