Mr. Maclean:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply-how often the administrative offices in a certain factory have been changed; what has been the cost on each occasion, and particularly if, on one of those changes, the estimate for erection was £300 for each of three places, and the final cost approximately £1,000 each; and how long those three places were occupied before being destroyed; and upon whose advice, and/or orders such contracts were made?

There have been two changes in the administrative offices at this factory. The first office was a building which was found more suitable for production staff offices. Temporary offices were then built and these have now been in part reconstructed into more satisfactory buildings.

Mr. Maclean:

Can the hon. Gentleman state the estimated cost and the building cost?

The estimated cost was £565 and the actual cost proved to be £567.

Mr. Maclean:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that in the Ordnance factory, of which he has been informed, two men are employed full time removing faulty bands at the rate of 250 per shift; that at one time 30,000 were lying in the shop and five men were employed on them; that after nine months this is still going on, and, as the men think it can be avoided, whether he will set up the investigation asked for?

There was difficulty at this factory some months ago due to the change over from the use of one type of band to another, which resulted in a higher proportion of rejects than had formerly been the case. This was due to the inexperience of the operatives in the manipulation of the new type of bands. The management gave immediate attention to the difficulty, which was never so great as is suggested, and the figure has been reduced to a very small proportion of the factory production.

Mr. Maclean:

Is it not admitted that considerable wastage was going on in this factory in the early stages and that an investigation should go on as the employees are totally dissatisfied?

The remarkable feature in this case was the rapidity with which the untrained personnel learned the new process.