§ 26. Mr. HOGGEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty what are the necessary steps which require to be taken by manufacturers to be placed on the Admiralty list of contractors; and whether he is aware that manufacturers who have applied to get on to the list have waited as long as a month for any reply from the Admiralty, while contractors who are on the list and are middlemen are daily asking for quotations from such manufacturers, who could quote direct to the Admiralty?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)As regards the first part of my hon. Friend's question, the Admiralty had printed some years ago a small pamphlet which gives full particulars as to the steps to be taken by the firms wishing to be placed on the Admiralty List. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. All applications for admission to the list are dealt with as promptly as circumstances permit, and I may say that the number of new firms added to the list since the War broke out is very large. In ordinary times the Admiralty do not, as a rule, deal with middlemen, but in the present emergency endeavour has been made to utilise, as far as possible, the services of all likely firms. The rules as to preliminary inquiries have also been relaxed where such a course appeared to be in the public interest.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the right hon. Gentleman say why there is so much difficulty for contractors who can quote cheaper prices direct to get on the list, when middlemen are applying to those contractors for quotations?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI should like my hon. Friend to give me any cases on which he bases that allegation.
§ Mr. GRETTONMay I ask if it is the cutom and practice of the Admiralty to wait for applications to be made by firms or persons, and whether the Admiralty endeavou to ascertain what firms or persons can provide the goods they require?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAPerhaps I had better hand the hon. Gentleman a copy of the answer to which I have referred, because that gives a reply to his question.
§ Mr. WATTWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of abandoning a system which acts prejudicially to the Admiralty?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe are doing everything we can to meet the present emergency, and on that point I think an answer will be found in the reply to a question which the hon. Gentleman proposes to put to me to-morrow.
§ Mr. HEWINSIs it not a fact that all these matters must now come before the Minister of Munitions?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo doubt there will be the very closest touch between our Department and that Ministry, but with regard to the precise functions of the Minister of Munitions the hon. Gentleman, I think, had better wait and see the Order in Council, which is about to be issued.
§ Mr. HEWINSBut did not the Prime Minister himself say that the Minister of Munitions would be responsible for dealing with these questions?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe hon Gentleman had better put that question to the Prime Minister; I am referring to the Order in Council, upon the question which will be issued immediately.