§ Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production (1) which royal ordnance factories are now 428W producing building materials components or fitments; how many men in each of these factories are engaged on this work; and what is the present total labour force of each of the factories concerned;
(2) what building materials, fitments and components are at present being manufactured in Government-owned factories; what further items of this, kind the Government are planning to manufacture in the next 12 months; and when he proposes to make a comprehensive statement to the industry in regard to the Government's manufacturing programme, in order that private factories may be in a position to plan their own production programme.
§ Mr. WilmotI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which 1 gave on 25th February to the hon. Member for Enfield (Mr. Ernest Davies). [OFFICIAL REPORT, Vol. 419, c. 1539.]
The direct employment to date is mainly on installation of plant and tooling, and the amount of operative labour to be used in the production of housing equipment has not yet been assessed. Manufacture of housing requirement- in the Royal Ordnance Factories is undertaken in cooperation with the industries concerned, with the object of assisting them to deal with shortages. Those industries are being urged, if possible to increase their output and there is nothing to limit their plans in the arrangements that have been made for assistance from the Royal Ordnance Factories.