§ 4. Mr. T. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Pensions whether all the firms who have held, or now hold, contracts for the supply of artificial limbs to disabled ex-service men are on the King's Roll?
§ Major TRYONAll firms who hold, or have held, contracts for the supply of artificial limbs are on the King's Roll with the exception of two firms who only occasionally supply a limb of a special type.
§ 5. Mr. KENNEDYalso asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that the two firms who now hold contracts for the supply of artificial limbs to ex-service men, namely, Messrs. Pedestros, Limited, and Hangers, Limited, took a leading part in the representations to the Ministry regarding the questions of the maintenance of limbs and costing; that, arising out of these representations, the two firms named have been given a monopoly of the supply and repair of artificial metal legs for the next three years; and if he can say why other firms of limb makers wore not afforded an opportunity of tendering under the revised conditions governing existing contracts?
§ Major TRYONBeyond the fact that the two firms referred to declined to renew their existing contracts in terms identical with those in which other firms of limb makers communicated their intention to me, I have no knowledge of any special part played by them in the joint action in which they were concerned. With regard to the last two parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Members for Kennington and Tottenham on the 19th instant, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. KENNEDYIs it not the case that the other firms had no opportunity of tendering on equal terms with the two firms mentioned in the question?
§ Major TRYONThe absence of free competition was due to a combination of firms against the Government, who refused to tender. Those who formed a combination against the Government cannot complain of the absence of free competition.
§ Mr. KENNEDYDid not the two firms named in the question also take part in the combination?
§ Major TRYONI understand the combination against the Government was one in which all the firms concerned took part.
Mr. THORNEWhat are the reasons that compelled the right hon. Gentleman to give the contract to the two firms outside, and could not the Arsenal make this kind of thing?
§ Major TRYONI think the hon. Member cannot be aware of the Report of the Committee, which has been available to the House for some time. This decision was arrived at in consequence of the Report of a Committee who gave the Ministry and the House their assistance, to the advantage of both the Ministry and ex-service men.
§ Major TRYONAs far as I know, it was a unanimous decision.