§ 31. Mr. R. T. EVANSasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the depressed state of the weaving industry in South and West Wales, and that contracts for flannel garments to be used by men in the services are lost by small margins 1310 because of extra freight and packing charges; and whether, in view of the cost of maintaining the workers in this industry who have been unemployed for long periods, he will take up the matter with the contracts departments with a view to giving special consideration to tenders from firms operating in these depressed areas?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Duff Cooper)The general question raised by the hon. Member has been under consideration, and I understand that, other things being equal, the contracting departments are prepared to give special consideration to tenders submitted by firms working in areas suffering from prolonged and severe unemployment.