AERO ENGINES
GOVERNMENT SCHEME.
NUFFIELD DIFFERS
FREE OFFER TURNED DOWN
United Press Association —By Electric Tele- * graph—Copyright. . ;
(Received October 23, 2.45 p.m.)
LONDON, October 22.
In the course, of a statement explaining why the Wolseley Motor Company is not participating in the Air Ministry's aero engine "shadow" scheme. Lord Nuffield mentioned an interview with the Air Minister at which he said that Lord Swinton "turned down flathis offer to manufacture aero engines at his own expense for the nation.
Lord Nuffield said that he erected the Wolseley aero engine factory in 1929 because he realised that firms with, experience might, be. needed in a riational emergency. He had spent altogether £500,000 of his-own money (keeping the .accounts distinct • from those of his own companies, in which there are public shares) in equipping the Birmingham factory with the best possible plant. .■'■".. :
• Under the . Ministry's "shadow" scheme, Lord' Nuffield said, various parts of the Bristol design engines will be made in different factories.
"It is sufficiently difficult to .make aero engine.s in one factory,"'he added. "I do not know what, will be \the: result of making engine's in parts in seven factories. It is not a workable scheme. Unity of tontrol is essential." Being anxious to help; he offered' to build 2000 Bristol engines in the Wolseley factory at the price the Ministry was then paying. This offer was also turned down. The . Ministry argued that Lord Nuffield's offer wpuld contribute little towards the extended capacity, required for an emergency, nor would there be created any prospect of orders after the completion of the Air Force expansion.
"I was asked to put up a factory at the expense of the, Government when I-had. already-a factory standing doing nothing," he said. "I have offered to make parts in Birmingham,. but. they, will not. let me. It is staggering", really. I am sorry this difference, ot opinion has arisen. I have done every thing possible to help the Government, but if the country wants me 'I shall be there." ■
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19361023.2.104.1
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 99, 23 October 1936, Page 10
Word Count
335AERO ENGINES Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 99, 23 October 1936, Page 10
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