HC Deb 06 March 1918 vol 103 cc1974-5
61. Mr. HEMMERDE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the practice of His Majesty's Government to pay contractors for the construction of aerodromes and other military works on the principle of a percentage of their expenditure; whether he has received a resolution from the Farmers' Federation protesting that such a system is conducive to extravagance and enables the contractors to offer inducements to agricultural labourers and others to leave their proper employment to the detriment of industries of urgent national importance; and whether a system of payment more consistent with national economy will be devised and adopted?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have received the resolution from the Farmers' Federation, and am in communication with the Air Ministry on the subject.