§ 57. Mr. GILLETTasked the Secretary of State for Air whether, during the 11 months ending 29th February, 1928, any contracts were entered into by the Ministry for amounts over £20,000 without such contracts being submitted to public tender; and, if so, if he will state the number and the amount of money involved?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)The answer is 56 contracts, involving approximately £3,450,000.
§ Mr. GILLETTAre we to take it that the reason for this large sum is that the payments have to be made to one firm only, because there are no other firms who can do the work?
§ Sir P. SASSOONIt is a question of proprietary designs.