§ 123. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Supply what action he is taking in the re-armament drive to mobilise to the fullest capacity the small engineering firms in the Bristol area and to ensure that they receive their proper proportion of both orders and supplies of material to carry them out; and what are the priority claims as far as export to dollar countries, re-armament and internal consumption are concerned.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussThe Ministry's regional office in Bristol has records of a 241W large number of the small engineering firms in that area and does all it can to bring their capacity to the notice of firms holding armament orders who require additional capacity. The choice of suitable sub-contractors is, however, a matter for main contractors. Arrangements exist for applications by firms requiring small quantities of certain metals for essential production to be dealt with sympathetically by suppliers. Small firms who still have difficulty in securing scarce materials should approach the regional controller, who will do all he can to help.
On priorities, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the defence debate on 15th February.