Mr. Smithersasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the anxiety which still exists in the British Railways Carriage and Wagon Works with regard to future employment, in view of the shortage of steel for the manufacture of coaches; and whether, after consultation with the Railway Executive and the Minister of Supply, he will make a statement upon the position.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have been asked to reply. I share the anxiety about the position in the railway workshops, and as I have already indicated railway steel supplies should be somewhat easier in the next allocation period. I understand that the increased supply will all be used for the rolling stock programme, but the British Transport Commission are unable to say at this stage what new construction of coaches will be possible in 1953.