“Technical and Warlike Stores”: A Net Increase of £515,000

THOUGH there are signs that the Industry may soon be able to shake off its swaddling clothes, and free itself from the position of dependence mainly on Government orders for its existence, the time when Government air policy becomes other than of paramount importance has not yet arrived. The majority of aircraft firms—though there is significance for the future in the fact that already not all—are still subject to the unstable world of politics and its eddies and currents, over which they have no control and little influence. The cry for economy, albeit largely unheeded, continues to affect the total of the Air, as of other Estimates, and the approach of a General Election made the publication of the figures this year an event to be viewed only with apprehension. On the whole, the result is satisfactory. “Vote 3 (Technical and Warlike Stores)” which is the fountain from which orders come to the Industry, shows a net increase of a little over half‐a‐million pounds—actually £515,000—in the provision made for new machines and engines, and spares, all of which will go to increase prosperity among those engaged on production. Actually, it is not unreasonable to add to this the £100,000 of the “super‐cut,” for additional orders to this amount will presumably be placed during the present financial year, though delays in delivery, and therefore payment, are allowed for by the “cut.” But none the less, it may be assumed that contracts for this amount will be let, so that the true increase amounts to £615,000.