§ 83. Brigadier-General CROFTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the contracts for the national shipyards are on the time and line system; whether this entails a percentage being paid on the cost; and whether he will state what are the average wages paid in those contracts?
Colonel WILSONI presume that the hon. and gallant Member has in mind the contracts for housing, which is the only work of any magnitude being carried out by contractors in connection with the shipyards. The contracts are on the basis of the Government supplying material and paying a fixedsum—not a percentage—for each house completed. Outside work, such as fencing, drainage, etc., is done on a percentage basis. I will let the hon. and gallant Member know what are the average wages paid as soon as I have obtained the information from the yards. I may add that new arrangements are now under consideration with regard to the contracts referred to.