§ 51. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Under- Secretary of State for Air the number of motor vehicles supplied to the Air Ministry during each of the last four years; whether the Air Ministry adopt the practice of other Departments in calling for competitive tenders for the supply of motor vehicles; and whether this practice was followed by the Air Ministry in all cases in the before-mentioned years?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)The numbers of motor vehicles ordered during the financial years 1929, 1930, 1931 and 1932 were 231, 244, 126 and 69 respectively, purchases being based on the dual considerations of suitability for service requirements and price. Competitive tendering is resorted to when the circumstances render this course suitable and practicable, but in certain instances the field of selection is limited by the types available, and in others a knowledge of catalogue prices and market conditions make it unnecessary. When a particular type of vehicle has been selected by competitive tendering, it is sometimes found convenient and economical to standardise it for a period in order to avoid the duplication of vehicles and stocks of spares.
§ Mr. LAMBERTWhy is it that the Air Ministry do not in every case ask for competitive tenders for these vehicles?
§ Sir P. SASSOONWe do make the general practice of doing so, but, as I say in my answer, there are certain considerations that have to be borne in mind on occasions.
§ Mr. LOVAT-FRASERWhat are those considerations?
§ Sir P. SASSOONOne of them was the need for standardisation for a certain period in order to avoid duplication of vehicles and stocks of spares.
§ Mr. LAMBERTMay we be assured that there is no favouritism given to any firm in the supply of these vehicles?
§ Sir P. SASSOONCertainly.